HELP Committee Holds Nomination Hearings for ASPR and CDC Leadership
Published July 27, 2026
By AACOM Government Relations
Federal Policy
- On July 15, 2026, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a confirmation hearing on the nominations of Sean Kaufman, MPH, to serve as assistant secretary for preparedness and response (ASPR) for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Erica Schwartz, MD, to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Kaufman emphasized stronger intergovernmental partnerships, investment in the public health preparedness workforce and modernization of critical medical product development and delivery. Schwartz highlighted restoring public trust through transparency and scientific integrity, modernizing public health data systems and strengthening state, local, tribal and territorial partnerships.
- After postponing both nominations amid attendance issues and concerns about Kaufman’s vaccine-related views, the Committee has rescheduled votes for July 30. If advanced, the nominations will move to the full Senate.