The Senate HELP Committee voted 13-8 on Thursday to advance Robert Califf’s nomination to go the Meals and Drug Administration, placing the Biden administration one step nearer to putting in a everlasting chief at an company important to the pandemic response.
Two senators who caucus with Democrats — Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) — opposed the nomination. Six Republicans — Invoice Cassidy of Louisiana, Mike Braun of Indiana, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Jerry Moran of Kansas — joined them in opposition.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) didn’t vote.
