Today, Dr. Heidi Overton, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration, faced intense questioning from Senators on the HELP Committee ahead of a confirmation vote. Senators on both sides of the aisle pressed Overton for reassurance that she will defend public health, prioritize food safety, and stand up to political interference from the Trump administration.
“Today’s hearing made one thing clear: Heidi Overton is not prepared to lead the FDA, she’s prepared to do Trump’s bidding,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, President and Founder of 314 Action. “When Senators asked her if she would stand up to Trump’s lies about vaccine safety, prescription drug prices, and reproductive healthcare, she offered evasive answers and refused to commit to telling the truth when the President is wrong. At a time when measles outbreaks and foodborne illness are spreading, and the FDA faces a crisis of public trust, we need a commissioner who will defend science and protect Americans, not another political operative who puts loyalty to Trump above all else.”
During the hearing, Senators across the aisle—including Senators Cassidy, Sanders, Hassan, and Markey—pressed Overton on whether she would contradict Trump when he promotes blatant falsehoods regarding vaccine safety and prescription drug prices. Overton offered rehearsed answers, repeatedly refusing to state unequivocally that she would contradict the President or acknowledge when he is wrong. Additionally, Overton failed to reassure Senator Patty Murray that she does not believe birth control is an abortifacient and will uphold the FDA’s approval of mifepristone as safe for women.
“Overton gleefully stood behind Trump when he told lies about the MMR vaccine and gutted the childhood vaccine schedule,” said Naughton. “She’s an anti-reproductive rights extremist who will cheer the administration on in taking healthcare away from women and allow more kids to get sick during the largest measles outbreak in three decades. We need real leadership at the head of the FDA, not someone who can’t stand up for science and can’t tell a fact from a lie.”