Biden Announces FDA Commissioner Nominee

The White House has spent nearly a year deliberating who would take over the position. Several candidates were dismissed over complaints that they’d worked too closely with the pharmaceutical industry. Though Dr. Califf also has ties, Biden believes he is the one to lead the country out of the pandemic. In his statement announcing the nomination, Biden wrote, “As the F.D.A. considers many consequential decisions around vaccine approvals and more, it is mission critical that we have a steady, independent hand to guide the F.D.A. I am confident Dr. Califf will ensure that the F.D.A. continues its science and data driven decision-making.” Dr. Califf will need to be confirmed by the Senate before taking office.