John McCain calls for an 'Ebola Czar' — but the Senate refuses to confirm nominee for Surgeon General
Arguing "there has to be more reassurance given" and "we don't know exactly who's in charge," Arizona Sen. John McCain voiced (deeply ironic) support for an 'Ebola Czar' to communicate with the public about efforts to combat the deadly virus:
McCain joins fellow senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio), as well as Reps. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) and Frank Wolf (R-Va.), in calling for an Ebola Czar. However, President Obama's nominee for Surgeon General — "America's doctor," as former Surgeon General Regina Benjamin described the post — has languished in the Senate awaiting confirmation for 11 months.
Dr. Vivek Murthy was nominated last November for Surgeon General, but faced stiff opposition from none other than the National Rifle Association, which took issue with Murthy's stance on gun violence:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
While some officials, like former Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, have argued that the Surgeon General is something of a glorified spokesperson lacking meaningful authority to coordinate public health response, that may be particularly vital in this moment of crisis. After all, Dr. Thomas Frieden — the head of the Centers for Disease Control, America's ambassador to the World Health Organization and one of the most familiar faces of the U.S. Ebola response so far — might be a bit too busy to show up on TV and comfort a worried nation.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Mike Barry is the senior editor of audience development and outreach at TheWeek.com. He was previously a contributing editor at The Huffington Post. Prior to that, he was best known for interrupting a college chemistry class.
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures Playful goslings, an exploding snowman, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
What is rock flour and how can it help to fight climate change?
The Explainer Glacier dust to the rescue
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: April 19, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published