Murray to Press FDA Nominee on Prioritizing Science, Not Ideology; Addressing Epidemic of Youth Tobacco Use

Murray: “Families across the country who count on the FDA to keep them safe should be able to trust it is being run capably and without interference from partisanship or ideology.”

Murray promises to push nominee on youth tobacco use amid youth vaping epidemic and continued delay from Trump Administration after promise to ban flavored e-cigarettes over a month ago

Murray also to hold accountable new Acting FDA Commissioner, Dr. Giroir, given his record of putting ideology ahead of women and families

Washington D.C.—Today, Senator Murray, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement in response to the announcement that President Trump will nominate Dr. Stephen Hahn as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner. The Trump Administration has also announced that Dr. Brett Giroir will be replacing Ned Sharpless as Acting FDA Commissioner during the confirmation process for Dr. Hahn.

“I’ll be vetting Dr. Hahn thoroughly to determine whether he is qualified for this position and committed to serving families, prioritizing science, and upholding the Food and Drug Administration’s gold standard for product safety and effectiveness. Families across the country who count on the FDA to keep them safe should be able to trust it is being run capably and without interference from partisanship or ideology.

“The crisis of skyrocketing youth tobacco use, which has been fueled by FDA’s unwillingness to take meaningful action, also continues to be a serious concern of mine. As families across the country continue to wait for the Trump Administration to keep its word to ban flavored e-cigarettes, including mint and menthol, I will also be pushing Dr. Hahn on the need for the FDA to take swift action on flavors and other issues to finally address the urgent epidemic of youth tobacco use.

“Finally, I’m alarmed that Dr. Giroir will step in as Acting Commissioner given his track record of letting ideology drive decisions at the expense of women and families—so I will hold him accountable while he serves in this role.”

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