Murray Statement on President Biden’s Pick to Lead Food and Drug Administration

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement in response to President Biden announcing his intent to nominate Dr. Robert Califf to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Califf previously served as FDA Commissioner under President Obama, and was confirmed to the position in a strong, bipartisan 89-4 vote.

“We are fighting a historic pandemic, and the expert scientists at the FDA who are working hard to help get us through this crisis deserve a Senate-confirmed leader to support and direct their work. Dr. Califf has led the Agency before, and was confirmed last time around in a strong, bipartisan vote. I look forward to working with him to see our nation through this pandemic and to tackle other critical challenges like the ongoing opioid crisis, rising youth tobacco use, high drug prices, health inequities, and more.”

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