Senate Health Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) pressed CDC director nominee Dr. Erica Schwartz on Wednesday about whether she would stand up to political interference if confirmed.
"I will continue to live and lead by my integrity.
I will never compromise on the science," the former deputy surgeon general replied.
Sen. Cassidy cut her off, saying that wasn't the "direct answer" he was hoping for, alluding to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s firing of the previous CDC director after she refused to rubber-stamp his vaccine agenda.
"Will you have the ability to say no to junk science, and to say yes to that which has been firmly established, and to stick up for what is actually right and true, as opposed to that which is superstition and prejudice?" he asked.
"Chairman, I have always stood up for what is right and what is true, and I believe that I will continue to do that," she replied. "You have my assurances that I will do that.
I will never betray the science, ever.
I will go where the science leads us.
I will not have predetermined answers to conclusions."
#cdc #ericaschwartz #rkfjr #science #cspan