Robert Califf narrowly confirmed FDA commissioner

Robert Califf
(Image credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Robert Califf as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, a key agency overseeing the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The FDA had been without a permanent chief for 13 months. The vote was 50 to 46; with four Democrats and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) voting against Califf and six Republicans supporting his confirmation.

When President Biden nominated Califf, a cardiologist and expert in clinical trials, in November, the White House envisioned an easy confirmation, given that the Senate voted 89-4 to approve his first, brief stint as FDA chief in 2016. But some Democrats expressed concern that he would not be tough enough on the drugmakers because of his industry ties, and many Republicans voted no because of pressure from abortion advocates angry over the FDA's moves to broaden access to the abortion pill.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.