Susan Monarez Moves Closer to Leading the CDC Through Senate Confirmation

Susan Monarez is nearing the final stages of her path to become the next director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On July 10, 2025, the U.S. Senate's health committee voted 12-11 to advance her nomination, with the decision along party lines—every Democrat voted against, while Republicans supported her. If she receives full Senate approval, Monarez will be the first CDC director to undergo the Senate confirmation process, a procedure introduced in 2023.

Monarez, aged 50, has been serving as acting CDC director since January, following the withdrawal of former nominee Dr. David Weldon. President Donald Trump officially nominated her in March. She holds a doctorate in microbiology and immunology from the University of Wisconsin and completed her postdoctoral work at Stanford University. Prior to her appointment at the CDC, she worked in government roles emphasizing health technology and biosecurity.

The CDC has experienced significant instability over recent months, characterized by staff reductions, resignations, and revisions to established vaccine guidelines, often influenced by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has openly criticized various CDC policies. During a recent hearing, Monarez reassured lawmakers that she supports vaccines, scientific research, and public health measures, although she did not specify if her views conflict with Kennedy’s positions.

Critics, including Senator Bernie Sanders, have expressed concerns about her previous role serving as Trump’s acting CDC director and her perceived acquiescence to Kennedy’s actions. Based in Atlanta, the CDC, founded nearly 80 years ago with a focus on malaria control, has expanded its mission to include tracing both infectious and chronic diseases.

For more details about the CDC's role, visit the official CDC website.