Senate panel advances Saphier nomination 12-11

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted 12-11 on Wednesday, September 30, to advance Nicole Saphier’s nomination as surgeon general, moving President Donald Trump’s nominee toward-but not completing-confirmation. The nomination now awaits consideration by the full Senate; a date for that vote has not been established in the available reports. Saphier, a radiologist and former television contributor, faced questions at a confirmation hearing earlier this month about childhood vaccines. She told senators she does not believe childhood vaccines cause autism. Her response came amid scrutiny of the administration’s approach to vaccine policy and the continued debate over public health guidance. At the hearing, Sen. Bill Cassidy, the committee’s Republican chairman, pressed Saphier on whether she believed vaccines were linked to autism. She also described the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine as an important tool against measles when asked whether parents should give it to their children. Cassidy ultimately voted to advance her nomination. Sen.