“We're going to be in a very challenging position in a very rural state like Alaska if in fact the move to require in-person dispensing of the medication as opposed to telehealth appointments is the direction.
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Trump Nominates White House Aide Heidi Overton to Run the FDA Nine Days After She Helped Write the Childhood Vaccine Order — and the Republican Chairman of the Senate Health Committee Calls That "Almost Disqualifying"
August 19, 2026
On August 19, 2026, President Trump announced on Truth Social that he was nominating Dr. Heidi Overton — a physician and deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council — as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, filling the vacancy left when Marty Makary was forced out in May after 13 months. Trump called her a "ROCKSTAR" and said she would work with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz to deliver "faster Cures, increased American Innovation, major Clinical Trial Reforms, lower Drug Prices, and even more MAHA wins." Kennedy said Overton brings "exceptional judgment, professionalism, discipline." Speaker Mike Johnson called her "a woman of deep faith, an accomplished physician and a champion of the America First agenda." The trouble came from her own party's health chairman. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the physician who chairs the Senate HELP Committee and who had already called Trump's August 10 childhood vaccine executive order "a stupid thing to do," said he had "strong concerns" about Overton — citing both her lack of managerial experience and her "active role in last week's nonsensical vaccine executive order," which he said "alone is almost disqualifying." Democrats attacked her record on abortion. Overton has written that abortion is "corrosive" to women and, in a 2023 brief, called the prescribing and mailing of abortion pills across state lines "Skype abortions" and urged the federal government to end the practice. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), a HELP Committee member, called her "a far-right, anti-abortion extremist who has no business leading the FDA" and said she would vote no. With a 53-seat majority, Senate Republicans can lose only three votes. Overton's confirmation runs through Cassidy's committee.
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Statements Recorded
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15 Statements
“The FDA has said this is safe. We need someone in FDA to make sure this is done by science. [Pressing Overton on mifepristone.]
“President Trump has claimed in his State of the Union address that he took prescription drugs from the highest price in the entire world to the lowest. … Do we pay the lowest prices in the world for prescription drugs? Or do we pay the highest prices in the world? … Is it true that we pay the lowest prices in the world for prescription drugs as President Trump has said?
“It's well past time for the FDA to push back against the false claims of mifepristone's alleged safety. … We've got to make sure that she is committed to ending the abortion drugs' availability in the state of Missouri. … I want to get to the bottom of this. I want to be sure that the FDA is not changing its position. I think this could be news to the court.
“[On Trump's statements about vaccine safety:] It was the wrong thing when he said it was not safe. The FDA leader must have the courage to say when the president is wrong.
“Is the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine lethal? … So you disagree with the president on that. … Kennedy gave me guarantees, and he did not keep them. … If the president asks you to do something that goes against those guarantees you give us today, what will you do?
“That is the definition of political interference in FDA decision-making. … That's not a commitment.
“[To Overton:] Why didn't you correct the president at that moment so that the correct science was understood by American parents?
“Every vaccine on the U.S. market right now is safe and effective, according to the FDA. … The MMR vaccine is not lethal. It is safe and effective. [On mifepristone:] It has met the safety and efficacy standard according to the FDA review.
“Dr. Heidi has been a ROCKSTAR in my Administration, where she has worked directly with Secretary Kennedy, Dr. Oz, and team, to deliver on the MOST TRANSFORMATIVE Health Agenda in History. She is known to take on the HARDEST issues, and bring me solutions that work best for the Country. We need her leadership at the FDA now to ensure that the U.S. remains the WORLD LEADER for Scientific Discovery and CURES.
“Today I am honored to nominate the wonderful Dr. Heidi Overton, MD, PhD, as our next FDA Commissioner. Dr. Heidi will work with Secretary Kennedy and Dr. Oz to rapidly deliver on my priorities of faster Cures, increased American Innovation, major Clinical Trial Reforms, lower Drug Prices, and even more MAHA wins!
“a woman of deep faith, an accomplished physician and a champion of the America First agenda. I have seen firsthand her ability to navigate complex policy challenges with conviction and clarity. She will serve our country well.
“Heidi brings exceptional judgment, professionalism, discipline and an unwavering commitment to the American people. I have seen her challenge assumptions, demand excellence and turn bold ideas into meaningful results.
“While I respect Dr. Overton's experience as a physician, I have strong concerns about her nomination to be FDA commissioner. Her lack of managerial experience does not prepare her well for leading a large organization that is already dealing with staffing and morale issues. Additionally, Dr. Overton's active role in last week's nonsensical vaccine executive order calls into question her commitment to standing up for sound science and protecting children's health. That alone is almost disqualifying.
“Heidi Overton is a far-right, anti-abortion extremist who has no business leading the FDA. The American people deserve someone who will put science and facts FIRST, not another Trump sycophant who will make it their mission to attack medication abortion. I will vote NO.