HELP Committee Advances FDA Nominee Dr. Califf, Others

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, led a mark-up to consider qualified, experienced nominees for our health, education and labor agencies.

“As our nation continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the scientists and experts at the Food and Drug Administration who are working diligently to ensure we have safe and effective vaccines, tests, treatments, and more, deserve a strong leader who will make sure science always comes first. As a former FDA Commissioner, Dr. Califf is an experienced pick to lead this important agency, and today the Committee advanced his nomination in a bipartisan manner.

“In fact, all of the nominees we voted on today are highly qualified, and I urge all my colleagues to support them so they can get to work serving workers, retirees, students, patients, and families across the country. I'll work hard to get them confirmed by the full Senate as soon as possible,” said Senator Patty Murray.

The HELP Committee advanced the nomination of Dr. Robert Califf to serve as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at the Department of Health and Human Services by a vote of 13-8. Senators Murray, Casey (D-PA), Baldwin (D-WI), Murphy (D-CT), Kaine (D-VA), Smith (D-MN), Rosen (D-NV), Lujan (D-NM), Hickenlooper (D-CO), Burr (R-NC), Collins (R-ME), Murkowski (R-AK), and Romney (R-UT) voted in favor of the nomination. Senators Sanders (D-VT), Hassan (D-NH), Cassidy (R-LA), Braun (R-IN), Marshall (R-KS), Scott (R-SC), Tuberville (R-AL), and Moran (R-KS) voted against the nomination. Senator Paul was not present.

The HELP Committee advanced the nomination of Jose Javier Rodriguez to serve as Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training at the Department of Labor by a vote of 11-10. Senators Murray, Sanders, Casey, Baldwin, Murphy, Kaine, Hassan, Smith, Rosen, Lujan, and Hickenlooper voted in favor of the nomination. Senators Burr, Collins, Cassidy, Murkowski, Braun, Marshall, Scott, Tuberville, Moran, Romney voted against the nomination. Senator Paul was not present.

The HELP Committee advanced the nomination of Lisa Gomez to serve as Assistant Secretary for the Employee Benefits Security Administration at the Department of Labor by a vote of 12-9. Senators Murray, Sanders, Casey, Baldwin, Murphy, Kaine, Hassan, Smith, Rosen, Lujan, Hickenlooper, and Murkowski voted in favor of the nomination. Senators Burr, Collins, Cassidy, Braun, Marshall, Scott, Tuberville, Moran, Romney voted against the nomination. Senator Paul was not present.

The HELP Committee advanced the nomination of David Weil to serve as the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division at Department of Labor by a vote of 11-10. Senators Murray, Sanders, Casey, Baldwin, Murphy, Kaine, Hassan, Smith, Rosen, Lujan, and Hickenlooper voted in favor of the nomination. Senators Burr, Collins, Cassidy, Murkowski, Braun, Marshall, Scott, Tuberville, Moran, Romney voted against the nomination. Senator Paul was not present.

The HELP Committee advanced the nomination of Javier Ramirez to serve as the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service by a vote of 17-4. Senators Murray, Sanders, Casey, Baldwin, Murphy, Kaine, Hassan, Smith, Rosen, Lujan, Hickenlooper, Burr, Collins, Cassidy, Murkowski, Romney, and Moran. Senators Braun, Marshall, Scott, Tuberville voted against the nomination. Senator Paul was not present.

The HELP Committee advanced the nomination of Amy Loyd to serve as Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education at the Department of Education by a voice vote.

The HELP Committee advanced the nomination of Linda Puchala to serve as a Member of the National Mediation Board by a voice vote

The HELP Committee advanced the nomination of Susan Harthill to serve as a Member of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission by a voice vote.

###