A Senate panel on Thursday advanced President Trump’s pick to lead the Food and Drug Administration.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted 14-9 to advance the nomination of Scott Gottlieb, a consultant and agency veteran, to be FDA commissioner.
Gottlieb’s next step is the Senate floor, where senators are expected to confirm him. Republicans need only a simple majority vote to get Trump’s pick across the finish line.
Gottlieb was previously the deputy commissioner of the FDA under George W. Bush. Since leaving the agency, he has consulted for drug and device companies.
Gottlieb said that he would recuse himself from any decisions that could impact the companies he worked for. But Democrats have criticized him for having strong industry ties.
