STAT+: At key hearing, Kennedy’s ouster of former CDC director looms over nominee to replace her

STAT PlusPolitics At key hearing, Kennedy’s ouster of former CDC director looms over nominee to replace her Senators ask if Erica Schwartz will stand up to RFK Jr. and Trump Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Chelsea CirruzzoJuly 15, 2026 Washington Correspondent Chelsea Cirruzzo[email protected]Chelsea covers the Department of Health and Human Services with a particular focus on power and influence at the top. Confidential tips can be sent via Signal at chelseacirruzzo.42. The fates of two top health officials — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Susan Monarez — loomed over a Wednesday Senate hearing, though neither of them was in the room. Almost a year after Kennedy ousted Monarez as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over vaccine policy, senators pressed the administration’s new pick to run the CDC on whether she’d face a similar fate, and how she’d deal with what many of them characterized as Kennedy’s political interference in the agency. Advertisement The nominee, Erica Schwartz, repeatedly demurred on the question, never quite saying whether she would stand up to the health secretary. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In CDC, Congress, HHS, Pharmaceuticals, Policy, public health, RFK Jr., STAT+, Vaccines Submit a correction requestReprints Chelsea Cirruzzo Washington Correspondent Chelsea covers the Department of Health and Human Services with a particular focus on power and influence at the top. Confidential tips can be sent via Signal at chelseacirruzzo.42. Newsletter The latest updates in federal health agencies, research institutes, and U.S. policy Recommended Health July 15, 2026 Cassidy grills Trump nominee on past vaccine comments in heated exchange Exclusive July 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Medicare Advantage insurers face new bipartisan scrutiny over AI and care denials Advertisement Politics July 15, 2026 Flood of comments on White House grantmaking overhaul is largely negative, analysis shows Exclusive July 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Under a new leader, the FDA’s biologics center moves to steady itself after stormy chapter Exclusive July 14, 2026 STAT Plus: Top Democrats question RFK Jr.’s health care advisory panel Subscriber Picks