FDA nominee Heidi Overton, Trump's choice to lead the FDA, evades direct questions about abortion pills during confirmation hearing. Overton, a physician and White House policy aide, faces scrutiny over her stance on abortion drugs and vaccine safety. She has previously written about the dangers of mifepristone, the abortion pill, and has supported policies restricting its access.
Overton, a physician and White House policy aide, faces questions from Senate Health Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy about her stance on abortion pills and vaccine safety. During the hearing, Overton avoided direct answers on whether mifepristone is safe, and declined to commit to policies that would require in-person ultrasounds before the drug is made available. She also avoided addressing political pressure on the FDA's review of the drug's safety.
Overton's confirmation would bring her to the FDA, where she would inherit a raft of controversial issues, including a safety review of the nation's principal abortion drug and new rules that make it easier to sell flavored electronic cigarettes. Her stance on abortion pills and vaccine safety has drawn criticism from both Republicans and Democrats on the panel, with some senators calling for stronger oversight of the drug's safety and distribution.
Overton has previously written about the dangers of mifepristone, the abortion pill, and has supported policies restricting its access. She has also expressed support for the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and has advocated for more controls over prescribing abortion drugs. Her stance on abortion pills and vaccine safety has drawn criticism from both Republicans and Democrats on the panel, with some senators calling for stronger oversight of the drug's safety and distribution.