New CDC director is confirmed, with Senate backing Dr. Erica Schwartz
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the CDC, ending a year-long period of acting leadership. She faces significant public health challenges, including a measles outbreak and vaccine hesitancy.
Why it matters
The appointment of a permanent CDC director is a major development in U.S. public health policy and agency stability.
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making her the health agency’s first permanent director in roughly a year. The 51-44 vote was largely split along party lines, with Republicans in favor and Democrats against, though Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., voted with Republicans. Kaine said last month that he regretted voting against the previous CDC director, Susan Monarez, and had apologized to her. Schwartz served as deputy surgeon general during President Donald Trump’s first term; before that, she was a Navy physician and chief medical officer in the Coast Guard. A series of acting directors have led the CDC since August 2025, when Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired Monarez after 29 days in the role. Schwartz takes over from Jay Bhattacharya, who has helmed the agency since February while also directing the National Institutes of Health.
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