Senate Confirms Monarez To Lead The CDC

Monarez was President Trump's second pick but is the first nominee for CDC director to require Senate confirmation.

The Senate has confirmed Susan Monarez to lead the CDC.

Monarez was President Trump’s second pick but is the first nominee for CDC director to require Senate confirmation.

She will take on the position amid chaos within the agency. The Trump administration is seeking to cut its budget by nearly half next year. She also takes over as hundreds of staff have been dismissed.

Monarez has worked within the federal government for nearly 20 years across multiple offices but had not worked for the CDC prior to Trump tapping her as the agency’s acting head shortly after beginning his second term.

The president chose Monarez to lead the agency after his first choice, former Florida Rep. Dave Weldon, failed to gain enough support among Senate Republicans.