Dr. Robert Califf was approved to by the Food and Drug Administration’s commissioner by one Senate panel on Tuesday, but the nomination may see trouble on the Senate floor.
Alaska’s senior Senator Lisa Murkowski stated she will hold up the decision until she gets some guarantees from the FDA regarding “Frankenfish”.
Sen. Murkowski: “We have attempted to address some of the issues that I have raised through the omnibus appropriations bill that we moved forward in December. We included a mandate in language that would require the FDA to not allow the introduction into interstate commerce of any product containing genetically engineered salmon until the FDA publishes final labeling guidelines. And I want the assurances that that is in fact what is going to happen.”
Idependent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont also opposed Califf citing pharmaceutical prices in the U.S and stating he may consider holding up the nomination as well.
Dr. Califf is the second in command at the FDA, the agency which regulates consumer products like medications, seafood, and e-cigarettes among other things.
He was a prominent cardiologist and medical researcher at Duke University for over 30 years.
The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved Califf by voice vote.