started · updated
Heidi Overton faces Senate hearing for FDA commissioner nomination
Dr. Heidi Overton, President Donald Trump’s nominee for FDA Commissioner, appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee for a confirmation hearing. During the proceedings, Overton addressed several contentious issues, including childhood vaccination schedules and the safety of the abortion drug mifepristone.
Overton testified that all vaccines currently on the U.S. market are safe and effective, specifically endorsing the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. This statement appeared to diverge from recent rhetoric from President Trump, who has characterized the combined MMR vaccine as “quite lethal.” Despite her testimony, senators questioned her previous support for an executive order aimed at spacing out childhood vaccinations.
Regarding mifepristone, Overton stated the drug has met FDA safety and efficacy standards. This comes amid pressure from pro-life advocates to restore previous restrictions on the medication. Additionally, Overton expressed a desire to increase FDA efficiency to better compete with China’s biotechnology sector and discussed potential regulatory changes regarding flavored electronic cigarettes.
Entities
Bill Cassidy · China · Donald Trump · Food and Drug Administration · Heidi Overton · Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee · Susan Collins
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Overton's proposed policies include new rules to make it easier to sell flavored electronic cigarettes. www.durangoherald.com · srnnews.com · www.kob.com · www.latimes.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Overton supports a plan to break up combination vaccines into individual shots. www.durangoherald.com · srnnews.com · www.kob.com · www.latimes.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Overton previously worked as an executive at the America First Policy Institute. www.durangoherald.com · srnnews.com · www.kob.com · www.nbcnews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Overton intends to prioritize speed and efficiency at the FDA to compete with China's biotechnology industry. www.statnews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Senator Bill Cassidy described Overton's support for spacing out vaccinations as 'almost disqualifying.' www.durangoherald.com · srnnews.com · www.kob.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The FDA has launched a new safety study on the abortion drug mifepristone. www.nbcnews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Overton is a physician who graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. abc17news.com · www.europesays.com
- [● 12 SOURCES] The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing for Dr. Heidi Overton on Thursday. www.durangoherald.com · srnnews.com · abc17news.com · www.kob.com · kvia.com · +7 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Dr. Heidi Overton stated that the abortion drug mifepristone has met FDA safety and efficacy standards. seacoastoldies.com · thepulseofnh.com · www.latimes.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] Dr. Heidi Overton testified that all vaccines currently on the U.S. market are safe and effective. www.durangoherald.com · www.formosadeportiva.com.ar · seacoastoldies.com · thepulseofnh.com · www.thethinkingconservative.com · +3 more