Senate grills Trump’s FDA nominee Heidi Overton on agency priorities

Heidi Overton, President Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, appeared before the Senate for a confirmation hearing on September 24, 2026.

Senators from both parties asked her about her views on several hot‑button issues facing the agency, seeking clarity on how she would handle regulatory challenges.

The hearing coincided with the FDA publishing a new rule aimed at reducing the use of animal testing in drug development.