Hirono Votes To Confirm FDA Commissioner

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono voted to support the confirmation of Dr. Robert M. Califf to lead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Califf was confirmed today as FDA Commissioner by a bipartisan 89-4 vote.

“The FDA is facing real challenges in addressing the impact of opioid addiction in our country, which has quickly become a serious public health issue,” said Senator Hirono. “While I share the concerns raised by several of my colleagues regarding the FDA’s role in this crisis, approving a qualified, Senate-confirmed commissioner will help the agency make critical progress to improve our drug approval process as well as address other important issues.”

Dr. Califf was nominated by President Obama to serve as FDA Commissioner on September 15, 2015, and his nomination was approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee by unanimous voice vote on January 12, 2016. Dr. Califf’s nomination received support from 128 physician and patient organizations, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Association of Medical Colleges, the American Heart Association, and the American Psychiatric Association.