On March 13, 2023, the White House announced the withdrawal of President Donald Trump's nomination of former Republican congressman Dave Weldon to serve as the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This decision was confirmed by a source familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity.
Weldon, a physician known for his controversial stance against abortion rights and his criticism of vaccines, was scheduled to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for a confirmation hearing on the same day. However, the committee has since confirmed that the hearing has been canceled following the withdrawal of Weldon's nomination.
The source indicated that Weldon did not possess the necessary votes for a successful Senate confirmation. This significant development was first reported by the Axios news outlet, highlighting the challenges faced by Weldon in securing the position.
The CDC, based in Atlanta, plays a crucial role in public health with an annual budget of approximately $17.3 billion. It is responsible for tracking and responding to both domestic and international health threats. Notably, about two-thirds of the CDC's budget is allocated to support public health and prevention activities conducted by state and local health agencies.
During his tenure in Congress, Weldon expressed skepticism regarding the safety of childhood vaccines, claiming they posed health risks and were linked to autism. This perspective aligns with long-standing theories promoted by vaccine skeptics, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., despite overwhelming scientific evidence debunking such claims. It is worth noting that the CDC has plans to conduct studies examining the relationship between autism and vaccines.
This decision and the surrounding controversy reflect ongoing debates in the U.S. regarding public health, vaccine safety, and the potential implications of appointing leaders with dissenting views on established scientific consensus.
Reporting by Steve Holland in Washington and Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago; additional reporting by Manas Mishra in Bengaluru. Editing by Bill Berkrot, Anil D'Silva, and Will Dunham.
