# Trump's FDA pick dodges tough questions at hearing

> Dr. Heidi Overton sidestepped senators on abortion pills, vaccines, and vapes during her confirmation hearing to lead the FDA.
- Title: Trump's FDA pick dodges tough questions at hearing · NBC News
- Summary: Dr. Heidi Overton sidestepped senators on abortion pills, vaccines, and vapes during her confirmation hearing to lead the FDA. Overton repeatedly avoided…
- Keywords: heidi overton, fda, confirmation hearing, mifepristone, abortion pill, measles vaccine, fruit-flavored vapes, senate health committee, donald trump, bill cassidy, drug safety, politics
- Source: NBC News — https://nbcnews.com/health/health-news/trumps-fda-pick-face-scrutiny-abortion-pill-access-confirmation-hearin-rcna599455
- Author: Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
- Published: 2026-09-24T19:47:00.243+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: heidi overton, fda, confirmation hearing, mifepristone, abortion pill, measles vaccine, fruit-flavored vapes, senate health committee, donald trump, bill cassidy, drug safety, politics
## Trump's FDA nominee faces Senate scrutiny
Dr. Heidi Overton, a preventive medicine doctor and White House domestic policy official, appeared before the Senate Health Committee on Thursday for her confirmation hearing to lead the Food and Drug Administration.
## Overton avoids stance on abortion pill
When asked repeatedly whether she personally believes mifepristone is safe, Overton only said the FDA currently considers it safe and pointed to an ongoing safety review. She previously called medication abortion dangerous to women.

> Mifepristone was approved by the FDA as having met its safety and efficacy standard.
## She won't say Trump was wrong on vaccines
Overton called the measles vaccine safe and effective but repeatedly refused to say whether Trump was wrong when he called it lethal last month. She only said the vaccine is not lethal when pressed.

> Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is safe and effective and the country's best tool for responding to measles.
## Senators press her on fruit-flavored vapes
The FDA approved several fruit-flavored vaping products in May after Trump met with tobacco executives. Overton defended the decision as based on career FDA staff recommendations but declined to comment on Trump's tobacco industry ties.
## Overton claims ignorance of vape expansion plans
Despite serving as a White House adviser, Overton said she was unaware of administration plans to speed authorization of additional vaping and nicotine products. The Wall Street Journal reported the administration planned to smooth the way for more tobacco products.
## Pattern of sidestepping direct answers
Throughout the hearing, Overton fell back on existing FDA positions or her responsibility to follow the law rather than giving her own views. Senator Chris Murphy said she had done a pretty good job at avoiding answering questions.

> You've done a pretty good job at avoiding answering questions.
## Her past work raises confirmation concerns
Before joining the White House, Overton was chief policy officer at the conservative America First Policy Institute, where she praised the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade and called for strict restrictions on medication abortion.
## Key takeaway

Overton repeatedly avoided stating personal positions on contentious issues, instead citing FDA policy or her duty to follow the law.