Dr. Heidi Overton, President Trump's nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration, appeared Thursday before the Senate HELP Committee for her confirmation hearing. Senators questioned her on vaccines, the abortion pill mifepristone, food safety and tobacco policy, according to multiple outlets.
Overton affirmed that the MMR vaccine and mifepristone are safe, and said Tylenol does not cause autism, according to Scientific American. MedPage Today similarly reported that Overton voiced support for the safety of long-established vaccines even as senators questioned her about White House efforts to change childhood immunization policy.
Several outlets reported that Overton avoided directly answering some of the toughest questions. The Hill said Overton largely dodged difficult questions from senators on vaccines and abortion, while Ars Technica reported she refused to say whether President Trump could be wrong, including on vaccines, birth control and vapes.
The New York Times reported that Overton was pressed specifically on the president's false statements about the measles vaccine and his intervention in tobacco policy. NPR reported that senators also pressed her on whether she could tell the president he's wrong, along with questions on food safety.
A STAT opinion piece by Julie F. Kay, founder and CEO of Reproductive Futures, argued that Overton is ignoring the science on the abortion drug mifepristone, writing that the drug has "a new boss but an old problem" under this appointment.
How each side covered it
Left
- Outlets highlighted Overton's reluctance to say whether Trump could be wrong, particularly on vaccines, birth control, and vapes.
- Coverage noted senators pressed her on mifepristone, food safety, and Trump's false statements about the measles vaccine.
- Scientific American reported she affirmed the MMR vaccine and mifepristone are safe and said Tylenol does not cause autism.
- Reports framed the hearing around Trump's intervention in tobacco policy and childhood immunization efforts.
“Trump’s FDA nominee Heidi Overton affirms MMR vaccine and mifepristone are safe at crucial Senate hearing” — Scientific American
Center
- MedPage Today reported Overton voiced support for long-established vaccines despite White House efforts to alter childhood immunization policy.
- The Hill described Overton as largely dodging difficult questions on vaccines and abortion, revealing little about her actual views.
- STAT published an opinion piece from a reproductive rights advocate criticizing Overton's stance on mifepristone as ignoring the science.
“Trump FDA pick dodges vaccine, abortion questions at Senate confirmation hearing” — The Hill
Questions readers ask
Who is Heidi Overton?
Dr. Heidi Overton is President Trump's nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration. She appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for her confirmation hearing on Thursday.
What did Heidi Overton say about vaccines at her hearing?
According to Scientific American and MedPage Today, Overton affirmed support for the safety of established vaccines, including the MMR vaccine, even as senators questioned her about efforts to change childhood immunization policy.
Did Heidi Overton answer all the senators' questions?
Not according to some outlets. The Hill reported she largely dodged difficult questions on vaccines and abortion, and Ars Technica reported she declined to say whether President Trump could be wrong on issues like vaccines and vapes.
What did left-leaning and center outlets focus on in their coverage?
Left-leaning outlets emphasized Overton's responses on the president's vaccine statements and whether she would contradict him, while center outlets focused on her support for vaccine safety amid scrutiny of the administration's health policy moves and, in one opinion piece, criticism of her stance on mifepristone.
What happens next for Heidi Overton's nomination?
The sources do not specify a timeline for further Senate action following the hearing.
Sources · 9 outlet reports
- Ars TechnicaLeft-leaningCan Trump ever be wrong? His pick to lead FDA refused to say.
- NPRLeft-leaningPresident Trump's FDA commissioner nom, Dr. Heidi Overton, faces Senators' questions
- Scientific AmericanLeft-leaningTrump’s FDA nominee Heidi Overton affirms MMR vaccine and mifepristone are safe at crucial Senate hearing
- The New RepublicLeft-leaningThe FDA’s Overton Window Problem
- The New York TimesLeft-leaningAbortion Pills, Vaccines and Food Safety: F.D.A. Nominee Heidi Overton Faces Senate Confirmation Hearing
- MedPage TodayCenterFDA Nominee Voices Support for Vaccines at Senate Hearing Scrutinizing Trump's Moves
- STATCenterOpinion: FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton is ignoring the science on abortion drug
- The HillCenterTrump FDA pick dodges vaccine, abortion questions at Senate confirmation hearing
- The Daily SignalRight-leaningFDA Confirmation Hearing Gives Update on Abortion Pill Study Under New Leadership