The Senate confirmed Susan Monarez as President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday, marking a pivotal moment in the executive’s ongoing efforts to reshape the agency. Monarez, a Washington-based public health official with a long-standing career in federal health policymaking, was confirmed on a 51-4,7 party-line vote, clearing a major hurdle in her confirmation process. Her ascension to the CDC director role comes nearly two years after the agency’s confirmation requirement was restructured by new legislation in 2023, making the Senate’s approval a crucial step in her appointment.
Monarez’s confirmation followed a contentious nomination process, with Trump initially selecting Dr. David Weldon as his choice for the position. However, Weldon’s nomination faced significant opposition from Senate Republicans, leading to its withdrawal. Monarez was then tapped in March to replace the acting director, and her confirmation has now officially transferred the CDC’s leadership role to the Biden administration, although her tenure under the Trump administration was marked by significant changes in the agency’s policies and staffing.
Despite her confirmation, potential tension between Monarez and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Trump described as a