Susan Monarez, a longtime federal health official nominated by President Trump to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), faced senators in a confirmation hearing Wednesday, providing a first glimpse of her personal views and any signs of daylight between herself and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

While Monarez said "vaccines save lives" and said there was no evidence of links between vaccines and autism, a debunked theory espoused by Kennedy, she was careful not to directly contradict her would-be boss despite prodding by Democratic senators.

Trump chose Monarez after his first choice for CDC Director, former Florida Rep. Dave Weldon (R), failed to gain enough support among Senate Republicans. Monarez has worked in federal health policy for nearly two decades and was acting CDC director before her nomination, giving her a few months of experience in the role.

Though she has held high-ranking positions in numerous offices in the federal government, CDC director would be her most public-facing role to date. She is also the first CDC nominee to require Senate confirmation, a change made after the COVID-19 pandemic thrust the role into the national spotlight.

Views on hot-button issues

Among those who've worked with her, Monarez is known as a strong believer in........

© The Hill