Senate narrowly confirms Robert Califf to lead the FDA

WASHINGTON – The Senate voted Tuesday 50-46 to officially confirm Robert Califf as the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

The vote puts an end to one of the most protracted and controversial confirmation processes in the FDA’s 115-year history. No candidate for the agency’s top job has so narrowly squeaked through the confirmation process. The only candidate that came close was Scott Gottlieb, who led the agency during the Trump administration and was confirmed 57-42.

Ultimately, four Democrats voted against Califf’s nomination: Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Ed Markey (Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.). So too did Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.)

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