Dr. Bhattacharya's Nomination as NIH Director Advances in Senate; CDC Nominee Pulled
Published March 24, 2025
By AACOM Government Relations
Federal Policy
OME Advocate
- On Thursday, March 13, 2025, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted along party lines, 12-11, to advance Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, as Director of the NIH. The nomination heads to the full Senate for final confirmation. Floor votes are expected the week of March 24, 2025.
- Dr. Bhattacharya stated he will advocate for increased transparency and work to restore public trust. He will oversee NIH’s health research budget and work with Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., on his planned overhaul of public health agencies.
- That same day, the Trump administration pulled the nomination of Dave Weldon, MD to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, due to a lack of Senate votes to confirm him. The announcement came shortly before his nomination hearing before the Senate HELP Committee.
- Additionally, there are a number of high profile HHS nominees awaiting Senate confirmation, including:
- Jim O’Neill, MA, for HHS Deputy Secretary
- Janette Nesheiwat, MD, for Surgeon General
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