Overton nominated for FDA top job

Dr. Heidi Overton appeared before the Senate HELP committee on Thursday for her confirmation hearing as the next FDA commissioner. President Donald Trump nominated her in August.

Trump called her a rockstar

Trump described Overton in a social media post as a rockstar in his administration. She has served as his deputy assistant during his second term.

“ROCKSTAR in my Administration”

She replaces Marty Makary

If confirmed, Overton will be the second person to lead the FDA after Marty Makary resigned following public clashes with lawmakers, pharmaceutical companies and Trump over fruit-flavored vapes.

Cassidy questions vaccine safety

Sen. Bill Cassidy, chair of the HELP committee and a physician, expressed concerns about Overton's participation in Trump's executive order overhauling the childhood vaccine schedule. Cassidy said the order was based on zero scientific evidence.

Overton defends vaccine safety

Cassidy asked if the MMR vaccine is lethal. Overton replied it is not. When asked if it is safe and effective, Overton said the vaccine is safe and effective against measles.

All US vaccines are safe, Overton says

When Cassidy asked if any vaccines on the US market are unsafe, Overton replied that every vaccine on the US market right now are safe and effective according to the FDA.

“every vaccine on the U.S. market right now are safe and effective, according to the FDA”

Overton deflects on standing up to Trump

When Cassidy and Sen. Bernie Sanders pressed Overton on whether she would stand up to the president in policy decisions, she appeared to deflect and said she would follow statutory law.

Murray questions mifepristone stance

Sen. Patty Murray asked Overton if she believes mifepristone is safe and effective. Overton replied that it has met the safety and efficacy standard according to the FDA review.

Murray cites Overton's 2023 article

Murray, who previously labeled Overton an anti-abortion extremist, said it is alarming that Overton published an article in twenty twenty-three that incorrectly stated medication abortion as dangerous to women.

Trump claimed Tylenol causes autism

In September, Trump warned that acetaminophen use in pregnancy was associated with a very increased risk of autism and advised pregnant women not to take Tylenol. He has repeated this claim without providing evidence.

“associated with a very increased risk of autism”

Major medical groups disagree

The largest review studies on the topic, reviewing data from close to three million children, have not shown direct cause and effect between prenatal acetaminophen use and autism. ACOG and AAP continue to recommend acetaminophen as the safest painkiller during pregnancy.

Overton says no causal evidence

Sen. Maggie Hassan asked Overton if she believes Tylenol causes autism. Overton replied that she has not seen any causal evidence that Tylenol causes autism. She declined to say if Trump was wrong.

“I have not seen any causal evidence that Tylenol causes autism”

Overton chosen for loyalty

Two sources familiar with the nomination tell ABC News that Overton was nominated in part because she is a loyalist of the president. A former senior administration official described her as someone who goes along with things.

“She kind of goes along with things”

Democrats call her unqualified

Democratic Women's Caucus Chairwoman Teresa Leger Fernández called on the Senate to reject Overton's nomination, saying her extremist beliefs and loyalty to Trump will put the lives of millions of women at risk.

“I call on my colleagues in the Senate to reject her nomination”