Senate Panel Advances Nicole Saphier Surgeon General Nomination
On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee advanced Dr. Nicole Saphier's nomination for surgeon general on a 12-11 en bloc vote, moving it closer to a full Senate vote.[1]
The same 12-11 en bloc vote also advanced Timothy Westlake's nomination to be assistant secretary for mental health and substance use at the Department of Health and Human Services.[1] Sen. Bernie Sanders said he would vote against Saphier in committee, citing her past questioning of the need for a hepatitis B vaccine at birth.[1] Saphier told senators the universal birth dose is safe and effective.[1]
During her confirmation hearing, Saphier said she does not believe childhood vaccines cause autism and called the MMR vaccine "the greatest tool for combating measles." PBS News That stance aligned her with scientific consensus even as the administration has shown interest in revisiting vaccine-autism claims.[1] It is not yet clear when the full Senate will vote on Saphier and Westlake, though they are expected to be approved.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee advanced Nicole Saphier's nomination for surgeon general on a 12-11 en bloc vote, moving her a step closer to confirmation.
- The same 12-11 en bloc committee vote also advanced Timothy Westlake's nomination to serve as assistant secretary for mental health and substance use at the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Sen. Bernie Sanders said he would vote against Saphier in committee, arguing she had previously questioned the need for the hepatitis B vaccine at birth; Saphier testified that the universal birth dose is safe and effective.
- During her confirmation hearing, Saphier told senators she does not believe childhood vaccines cause autism and called the MMR vaccine "the greatest tool for combating measles," aligning herself with scientific consensus despite the administration's interest in revisiting vaccine-autism claims.
- The article notes it is not yet clear when the full Senate will vote on Saphier and Westlake, though they are expected to be approved.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee advanced Nicole Saphier's nomination for surgeon general on a 12-11 en bloc vote, moving her a step closer to confirmation.
- The same 12-11 committee vote also advanced Timothy Westlake's nomination to serve as assistant secretary for mental health and substance use at the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Sen. Bernie Sanders said he would vote against Saphier in committee, arguing she had previously questioned the need for the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, while Saphier testified that the universal birth dose is safe and effective.
- The article notes that it is not yet clear when the full Senate will vote on Saphier and Westlake, but they are expected to be approved.
- The piece reiterates that Saphier told senators during her confirmation hearing that she does not believe childhood vaccines cause autism and called the MMR vaccine the greatest tool for combating measles, aligning herself with scientific consensus despite the administration's interest in revisiting vaccine-autism claims.