FDA Nominee Defends Vaccine Safety During Senate Hearing

Dr. Heidi Overton, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration, faced questions over vaccines, abortion policy and her qualifications during a Senate hearing, according to CNN.

Overton said the MMR vaccine is safe and effective, directly differing from Trump’s previous characterization of the vaccine. She also told senators that all vaccines currently on the U.S. market are safe and effective under FDA standards.

Her record on abortion is also drawing scrutiny. Overton previously supported the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade and criticized medication abortion.

The FDA has lost more than 4,600 employees since 2024. At 37, Overton would be among the youngest commissioners in the agency’s history.

Related Tweet:

Sen. @ChrisMurphyCT (D-CT) grills FDA Commissioner Nominee Dr. Heidi Overton on remaining free of Trump interference: "Since President Trump came into office, 27% of all advisory boards have been eliminated. And of those that remain, there have been 72% fewer meetings." pic.twitter.com/jZsrFTtvfb

— CSPAN (@cspan) September 24, 2026

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tippinsightsTIPP Staff