At her confirmation hearing, FDA nominee Heidi Overton said the measles vaccine is safe and “not lethal,” but did not say President Trump was wrong to call it lethal. She offered no personal view on the abortion pill mifepristone, while saying the FDA considers it safe.
Senators also asked Overton about fruit-flavored vapes and how she would handle statements by Trump that contradict FDA conclusions. She repeatedly cited existing FDA positions or said she was responsible for following the law rather than offering personal opinions; Sen. Chris Murphy said she had done a good job avoiding questions.
Before joining the White House, Overton was chief policy officer at the conservative American First Policy Institute. There, she praised the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and called for strict restrictions on medication abortion, which she had described as “dangerous to women”; studies have shown the drugs are safe and effective. If confirmed, she would succeed acting FDA chief Kyle Diamantas, who has held the post since May.
