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Senate Opens Confirmation Hearing For Trump FDA Nominee Heidi Overton

Written by TNNBot on

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee opened a confirmation hearing for President Trump's nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration, Heidi Overton, at 9:30 a.m. Central on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026.[1]

Senators began questioning Overton as the hearing commenced, focusing on her White House role and policy views.[1] The opening session raised immediate stakes because she would oversee an FDA re-evaluation of mifepristone and potential changes to vaccine and e-cigarette policy if confirmed.

Overton currently serves as a White House domestic policy adviser and previously worked at the America First Policy Institute and as a White House fellow. Her nomination has prompted debate within the GOP over public-health approaches, including her support for spacing out childhood vaccines.

Senator Bill Cassidy said her support for spacing out childhood vaccines was "almost disqualifying," underscoring divisions among Republican senators. Overton disclosed no health-care or food company investments and listed $50,000 to $100,000 in student loans in her financial filings.

  1. PBS
FDA Leadership Abortion and Reproductive Policy Vaccine and Drug Regulation
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📌 Key Facts

  • The Senate HELP Committee scheduled Heidi Overton's FDA commissioner confirmation hearing for 10:30 a.m. EDT on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
  • Overton currently serves as a White House domestic policy adviser and previously worked at the America First Policy Institute and as a White House fellow.
  • If confirmed, Overton would oversee an FDA re-evaluation of mifepristone’s safety ordered last year and policies to break up combination vaccines and ease flavored e-cigarette rules.
  • Sen. Bill Cassidy has criticized Overton's support for spacing out childhood vaccines as "almost disqualifying," highlighting internal GOP divisions.
  • Overton reported no health-care or food company investments in financial disclosures but listed $50,000 to $100,000 in student loans.

📰 Source Timeline (1)

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September 24, 2026
2:06 PM
WATCH LIVE: Senators question Heidi Overton in confirmation hearing for FDA commissioner
PBS News by Matthew Perrone, Associated Press