Senate Confirms Susan Monarez as New CDC Director

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Susan Monarez as the permanent Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Monarez, who was previously the acting director and a proponent of COVID-19 vaccines, secured confirmation with a 51-to-47 party-line vote. This appointment follows President Trump's withdrawal of his initial nominee earlier in the year. Notably, Dr. Monarez is an infectious-disease researcher and the first non-physician to head the CDC in over five decades. Her confirmation occurs amidst significant changes at the agency, including aggressive cuts overseen by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., many of which were later reversed.