Heidi Overton Faces Senate Hearing for FDA Commissioner Nomination

Dr. Heidi Overton appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee on Thursday for her confirmation hearing to become the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

Nominated in August by President Donald Trump, Overton, a physician and White House domestic policy adviser, is expected to face questions regarding her stances on childhood vaccines and the abortion drug mifepristone. Senator Bill Cassidy, the committee chair, questioned Overton on the safety and efficacy of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, to which she responded that it is safe and effective.

Overton also faced inquiries about mifepristone's safety and effectiveness. Her past work includes roles at the America First Policy Institute, where she authored papers critical of abortion and transgender care. If confirmed, Overton would lead an agency that has been without a permanent commissioner since Marty Makary resigned in May. Kyle Diamantas has served as acting FDA commissioner since May 2026.

Overton's nomination follows a period where the FDA has been under scrutiny for various projects, including a safety review of mifepristone and new rules for flavored electronic cigarettes.