Introduction to the White House Decision
The White House has withdrawn the nomination of former Florida state representative Dave Weldon, whom President Donald Trump had chosen to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a senior administration official said.
The development came just before Weldon was set to testify at his Senate confirmation hearing for the role at 10 a.m. ET before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
Background on the Nomination Withdrawal
Axios was the first to report the news, citing sources on Capitol Hill. It wasn’t immediately clear why his nomination was pulled, but Weldon has held some anti-vaccine views similar to those of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Weldon served 14 years in the House until 2009, during which time he criticized the CDC and questioned the safety of vaccines. Similar to Kennedy, Weldon has made statements linking vaccines to autism despite research showing no connection exists.
Weldon’s Past Actions and Beliefs
In 2007, he unveiled legislation that would have transferred oversight of vaccine safety from the CDC to an independent agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. Weldon also reportedly helped anti-vaccine researchers Mark Geier and his son David access the Vaccine Safety Datalink, a CDC database containing patient health records, according to an account in the 2004 book “Evidence of Harm” by journalist David Kirby.
CDC’s Response and Future Plans
The CDC has decided to begin researching autism and potential links to vaccines, according to a source familiar with the agency’s planning. This move comes amidst controversy and debate over vaccine safety and effectiveness.
Contributing Reporters and Sources
Vaughn Hillyard, Erika Edwards, and Berkeley Lovelace Jr. contributed to this report. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. More from NBC News:
Conclusion
The withdrawal of Dave Weldon’s nomination as director of the CDC highlights the ongoing debate over vaccine safety and the importance of evidence-based decision making in public health policy. As the CDC moves forward with research into autism and potential links to vaccines, it is essential to rely on scientific evidence and expert consensus to inform policy decisions.
FAQs
- Q: Why was Dave Weldon’s nomination as CDC director withdrawn?
A: The reason for the withdrawal is not immediately clear, but it may be related to Weldon’s anti-vaccine views and past actions. - Q: What are Weldon’s views on vaccine safety?
A: Weldon has made statements linking vaccines to autism, despite research showing no connection exists, and has criticized the CDC’s handling of vaccine safety. - Q: What is the CDC’s stance on vaccine safety research?
A: The CDC has decided to begin researching autism and potential links to vaccines, according to a source familiar with the agency’s planning. - Q: Where can I find more information on this story?
A: This story first appeared on NBCNews.com, and more information can be found there.
