The Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC director in a 51-44 vote.
Why it matters: The CDC has been without stable leadership for months, complicating outbreak response, vaccine policy and federal-state coordination. A confirmed director could help restore continuity at the Atlanta-based agency.
- The Senate voted 51-44 on Aug. 5, 2026, to confirm Schwartz.
- AP said Schwartz is the CDC's 22nd leader and its first confirmed director in nearly a year.
- President Donald Trump nominated Schwartz on April 21, 2026.
- The Senate HELP Committee delayed its first planned vote on her nomination on July 23 before advancing it.
The Senate has confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ending a prolonged leadership vacuum at the Atlanta-based agency, according to AP.
The 51-44 vote on Aug. 5 gives the CDC a confirmed leader after months of turmoil. AP reported Schwartz is the agency's 22nd leader and its first confirmed director in nearly a year.
Schwartz was nominated by President Donald Trump on April 21, 2026, after the post had been open for months following leadership disruption at the agency, according to a White House nomination notice. The Senate HELP Committee initially delayed its planned vote on July 23 before later advancing the nomination.
The confirmation comes after a stretch of instability that AP said included former director Susan Monarez being confirmed in July 2025 and then removed less than a month later.
During her confirmation process, Schwartz said she would "never betray the science" and called for "radical transparency." She also said, "The secretary will absolutely allow me to be CDC director."
By the numbers
- 51-44 - Senate vote to confirm Schwartz
- April 21, 2026 - date Trump nominated Schwartz
- Nearly a year - length of the leadership gap AP described
Yes, but: The dossier does not confirm Schwartz's exact start date or swearing-in timeline, so it is unclear how quickly she will take charge day to day.