Politics

Senate panel to question FDA nominee Overton on vaccines and abortion pill

Dr. Heidi Overton faces committee scrutiny over her regulatory stances following previous leadership departures

Updated Sep 24, 2026 · 10:40 UTC3 reports

The short version

Dr. Heidi Overton appears before the Senate health committee on Thursday for her confirmation hearing to lead the FDA.[ABC News]
Lawmakers plan to question Overton regarding her positions on vaccine schedules and access to the abortion drug mifepristone.[ABC News · The Washington Post]
Committee chairman Sen. Bill Cassidy called Overton's support for spacing out vaccinations almost disqualifying.[ABC News]
If confirmed, Overton would lead an agency operating without a permanent head since Dr. Marty Makary resigned in May.[NBC News · ABC News]

Dr. Heidi Overton is scheduled to appear before the Senate health committee on Thursday for her confirmation hearing to become FDA commissioner.[NBC News · ABC News · The Washington Post]
Senate health committee chairman Sen. Bill Cassidy described Overton's support for spacing out vaccinations as almost disqualifying.[ABC News]
Overton previously authored papers opposing abortion and characterized mail delivery of mifepristone as chemical abortion on demand while at the America First Policy Institute.[ABC News]
The FDA has lacked a permanent commissioner since Dr. Marty Makary resigned in May.[NBC News · ABC News]
The FDA initiated a new safety review of mifepristone in June.[NBC News]
About 20% of FDA personnel have left through layoffs, buyouts, retirements, or resignations since Trump took office.[ABC News]

Whether Overton can secure sufficient committee and full Senate votes remains uncertain given skepticism from lawmakers over her positions on vaccines and reproductive health.[ABC News · The Washington Post]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.