Republican Senators John Cornyn, Bill Cassidy, and Thom Tillis questioned several of President Donald Trump’s nominees during committee hearings on Wednesday. The three senators, all of whom are set to leave the Senate following election losses or retirement, used the sessions to press nominees for the Department of Justice, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other health agencies on policy and administrative concerns.
Senator Cassidy, chair of the Health Committee, questioned CDC director nominee Erica Schwartz and health emergency response nominee Sean Kaufman regarding their stances on vaccine safety. Cassidy expressed concern over making a clear distinction from the views of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Schwartz stated her commitment to the agency's mission, while Cassidy noted he remains undecided on her advancement.
On the Judiciary Committee, Senator Cornyn and Senator Tillis interrogated attorney general nominee Todd Blanche regarding a $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" fund established in a legal settlement between the Justice Department and the president. Cornyn expressed skepticism that the fund was permanently disbanded, while Tillis indicated he would seek legislation to ensure the fund cannot be utilized.
While some nominees faced scrutiny, Jay Clayton, the nominee for director of national intelligence, received broader support from Republican members. Many GOP senators expressed a desire to confirm Clayton quickly to address expiring intelligence authorities. The confirmations for Blanche and Schwartz remain pending further committee action.