Outgoing Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb on Wednesday explained his sudden resignation announcement by citing the time away from his family and the long commute he faced traveling to Washington from Westport, Ct.
“I should have moved them down at the outset, but it’s too late to do that now,” Gottlieb said of his family at an appearance at an event at the Newseum in downtown Washington.
Gottlieb announced Tuesday that he was going to depart the FDA, surprising many in Congress and the administration.
Just weeks before, during the partial government shutdown, Gottlieb had dismissed the suggestion that he might leave. On Wednesday, Gottlieb said that he was in fact considering his future departure at that time. “This was a very difficult decision timing-wise,” he said. “I obviously wasn’t going to leave during the shutdown.”
Gottlieb said that he will aid a smooth transition before he leaves the administration in about one month. During that time, a replacement will be introduced. Gottlieb said he would like to keep the FDA team intact.
“In terms of who steps in to fill the role in an acting capacity, there are some good names in the mix. I feel good about that,” Gottlieb said.
