Trump surgeon general pick hasn't locked down GOP votes
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Means being greeted by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) at her confirmation hearing. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Some key Republican senators are undecided on whether to advance the nomination of President Trump's pick for surgeon general after she ducked tough questions on her vaccine views during a confirmation hearing last week.
Why it matters: Nutrition influencer Casey Means can't lose any Republican votes in the Senate health committee, assuming all of the panel's Democrats oppose her.
What they're saying: Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), a key moderate on the panel, told Axios she still has questions after grilling Means about matters including her skepticism about giving all newborns the hepatitis B vaccine.
- "I have some follow-on questions about some of the statements that she made when I was in the committee room about vaccines," Murkowski said. "I wanted to hear her response to other members when I wasn't there, so I'm still doing that."
- Asked if she was satisfied with what she had heard so far, Murkowski replied, "If I was, then I wouldn't want to go back and see the responses to the other questions."
- Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said "I haven't made a decision," adding that she is sending "additional questions" to Means.
The intrigue: The chair of the committee, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) repeatedly pressed Means on where she stands on vaccine recommendations, including measles shots. He has not said how he will vote. His office did not respond to requests for comment.
The big picture: Means did not unequivocally urge people to get vaccinated at the hearing, saying they should consult their doctors, while adding "I'm supportive of vaccination."
- Means, an ally of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., sought to focus on key themes of the "Make America Healthy Again" movement, such as addressing chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
The bottom line: The health committee and Senate Republican caucus has voted through Trump's top health nominees, including Kennedy.
- What's clear is that Means' path forward is not yet assured.
