Sanders Places Hold on Califf Nomination

The road to grabbing the title of FDA commissioner keeps getting tougher for Robert Califf, with additional lawmakers saying they will look to block his nomination.

Last week, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) slammed what he calls the nominee’s close ties to the pharmaceutical industry, as well as his lack of commitment to lowering drug prices. He placed a hold on the nomination.

Sanders echoed Sen. Edward Markey’s (D-Mass.) concerns over the FDA’s handling of opioid addiction. Markey announced last week that he was placing a hold on Califf’s nomination unless the agency implemented measures to make advisory committees involved in the opioid approval process.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) also said he will filibuster the nominee, citing his strong ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

In addition, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has expressed her intent to block the nominee’s approval until she has reassurances from the agency on mandatory labeling requirements for genetically modified salmon. She voted him through during the Senate HELP committee vote but said she would block him if her concerns about the salmon are not addressed.