Senate Committee Advances Nicole Saphier’s Surgeon General Nomination/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ A Senate committee voted 12-11 Wednesday to advance Dr. Nicole Saphier’s nomination to serve as surgeon general. The radiologist and former Fox News contributor supported childhood vaccines during her confirmation hearing and rejected claims that they cause autism. Her nomination now awaits a full Senate vote, while Democrats continue questioning the administration’s public health messaging.
Quick Look
- Nomination advances: The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved Saphier’s nomination in a 12-11 vote.
- Trump’s third nominee: Saphier is President Donald Trump’s third choice for surgeon general.
- Vaccine testimony: She told lawmakers she does not believe childhood vaccines cause autism.
- MMR support: Saphier described the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine as a key tool against measles.
- Cassidy votes yes: Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy supported her after pressing her on vaccine safety.
- Sanders objects: Sen. Bernie Sanders cited concerns about her previous comments on the hepatitis B birth dose.
- Another nominee advances: Timothy Westlake’s nomination for an HHS mental health and substance use position passed in the same vote.
- Full Senate vote pending: A confirmation date was not immediately announced.
Deep Look
Senate Panel Moves Saphier’s Nomination Forward
WASHINGTON — Dr. Nicole Saphier moved closer to becoming surgeon general Wednesday after the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions advanced her nomination by a 12-11 vote.
Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News Channel contributor, is President Donald Trump’s third nominee for the position.
The committee’s action followed a confirmation hearing earlier in September that focused heavily on her views about childhood vaccines.
Her nomination now proceeds to the full Senate. The timing of that vote was not immediately clear, although she is expected to be confirmed.
Saphier Rejects Vaccine-Autism Claims
During her hearing, Saphier expressed support for vaccination and rejected suggestions that childhood vaccines cause autism.
The Trump administration has sought to revisit those claims, despite decades of research and broad scientific consensus finding no causal link.
Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy pressed Saphier to state her position directly.
She said she does “not believe childhood vaccines cause autism,” adding that “the MMR vaccine is our greatest tool for combating measles,” when asked whether parents should give their children the shot.
MMR protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Trump recently called for those shots to be spaced out, contrary to medical groups’ guidance.
Cassidy ultimately voted to advance Saphier’s nomination.
Sanders Raises Concerns About Hepatitis B Comments
Sen. Bernie Sanders, the committee’s ranking member, said before the vote that he would oppose Saphier.
He cited, in part, concerns that she “has questioned the need for the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, when the data science has been clear.”
“We need a surgeon general who will tell the truth about vaccines, not someone who misleads the public,” Sanders said.
At her confirmation hearing, Saphier said the universal hepatitis B birth dose was safe and effective.
The disagreement underscored the scrutiny surrounding how the administration’s nominees would communicate vaccine information to the public.
Surgeon General Serves as a Leading Public Health Voice
The surgeon general has limited direct policymaking authority but holds a prominent role in explaining public health issues to Americans.
The office’s visibility makes its guidance influential, particularly during disputes over vaccination and other health matters.
Saphier’s testimony therefore drew attention both to her medical views and to how she might approach public communication if confirmed.
Mental Health Nominee Advances in the Same Vote
The committee also advanced Timothy Westlake’s nomination to serve as assistant secretary for mental health and substance use at the Department of Health and Human Services.
His nomination passed alongside Saphier’s in the same en bloc vote.
Westlake also awaits consideration by the full Senate and is expected to be approved, although no immediate voting schedule was announced.
Separate HHS Nomination Draws Similar Vaccine Scrutiny
Chris Klomp, nominated to become deputy secretary of Health and Human Services, advanced from the Senate Finance Committee last week in a 15-12 vote.
Klomp was questioned during the same hearing as Saphier about vaccines and his responsibilities as HHS chief counselor under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Sen. Ron Wyden criticized Klomp while opposing his nomination in the Finance Committee.
Wyden said Klomp “tried to create the impression that he will be the adult in the room on vaccines. Yet, as we sit here today, the vaccine chaos that we’ve come to expect from Robert Kennedy’s HHS continues.”
The criticism reflected broader Democratic concerns about the department’s vaccine policies and messaging as multiple nominees move toward confirmation.
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