Senate Committee Approves Biden's NIH Nominee Despite Sanders' Opposition

With Republican Support, Bertagnolli on Track to be Confirmed as NIH's First Female Director Despite Bernie Sanders' Concerns Over Pharmaceutical Industry Ties

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), plans to vote 'no' on the confirmation of Monica Bertagnolli, President Biden's nominee for director of the National Institute of Health (NIH), citing concerns that she is not prepared to take on pharmaceutical companies.
Sanders' opposition comes despite Bertagnolli's assurance that she will not take a position in a pharmaceutical company within the first four years of leaving her public sector role, and a commitment to comply with congressional oversight, particularly with the ongoing investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sanders' vote against Bertagnolli's nomination could jeopardize her confirmation since Democrats hold only a one-seat majority in the Senate's health committee. Despite this, Sanders stated that his decision is a 'vote of conscience' and as such he will not be lobbying his fellow Democrats on the committee to vote the same way as him.
Sens. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) have stated their support for Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, potentially ensuring her confirmation despite opposition from the Senate's committee chairman.
If confirmed, Bertagnolli, the current head of the National Cancer Institute, would be the first woman to serve as the director of the NIH.