Republicans help confirm controversial Biden nominee Robert Califf to head FDA

The Senate narrowly confirmed Dr. Robert Califf, a cardiologist and biomedical scientist, to lead the Food and Drug Administration, with several Republicans crossing the aisle to make up for Democratic dissent.

Califf was confirmed by a vote of 50-46, with support from such Republicans as Mitt Romney of Utah, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, and Richard Burr of North Carolina, compensating for the “no” votes from a handful of Democrats. The Democrats who opposed the confirmation have cited Califf’s ties to the pharmaceutical industry as well as his handling of the opioid crisis during his previous tenure atop the agency during the Obama administration.