GREENVALE, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 05: Nicole Saphier attends FOX Nation’s 2024 Patriot Awards at Tilles Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2024 in Greenvale, New York. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (TNND) —The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee on Wednesday advanced President Trump’s surgeon general nominee, Nicole Saphier, creating a path to a floor vote and confirmation
The committee voted to advance Saphier along party lines, 12-11, The Hill reported. The floor vote for her nomination won’t be scheduled until after the midterm elections since this is the final week that the Senate is in session before November
The panel also advanced two Department of Health and Human Services nominations as part of Wednesday’s vote: Timothy Westlake for assistant secretary for mental health and substance use, and Mary Lazare for assistant secretary for aging
Saphier is Trump’s third surgeon general nominee for this presidential term. She is a radiologist, former Fox News contributor, and a health and wellness influencer
The surgeon general role, which includes guiding the American people with public health advice, has not been filled during this administration. Trump’s first two nominees, Janette Nesheiwat and Casey Means, both failed to advance in the Senate’s confirmation process
Florida GOP Rep. Mike Haridopolos’ wife, Office of the Surgeon General’s National Health Communications Director Stephanie Haridopolos, has temporarily taken on some duties of the surgeon general
Saphier was asked about Trump’s changes to the childhood vaccine schedule during her confirmation hearing, and whether she would push back on the president and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who have both suggested a link between autism and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine
She said the MMR vaccine “is our greatest tool for combating measles” but wouldn’t give a yes or no answer when HELP Chair Bill Cassidy, R-La., asked her if a parent should vaccinate their child with it
25
Boise opens New Path II permanent supportive housing community4
Habitat for Humanity, West Ada schools partner to build homes and train students3
E-bike crashes involving young riders prompt Oregon lawmakers to weigh safety changes4
Boise Fire awarded $2.3M grant that will hire nine firefighters and expand staffing
