Overview
- Dr. Heidi Overton faced two hours of questioning before the Senate HELP Committee on Thursday about vaccines, the abortion pill mifepristone, contraception and recent product authorizations.
- She affirmed that U.S. vaccines are safe and said the MMR shot is not lethal but repeatedly declined to fault the president or give personal scientific judgments when pressed by senators.
- Overton told senators she would be briefed immediately and prioritize the FDA’s ongoing safety study of mifepristone and noted the agency has a process update due to a federal court on Oct. 7.
- She would not say whether she personally considers mifepristone safe or whether IUDs are abortifacients, answers that drew sharp criticism from Democrats and alarm from reproductive health advocates.
- Lawmakers also pressed her on flavored nicotine approvals and alleged political influence, and senators raised broader concerns about her managerial experience as the FDA works to rebuild staff and public trust.