Senate confirms Biden’s FDA pick despite political divisions

By MATTHEW PERRONE and KEVIN FREKING
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has narrowly confirmed President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Food and Drug Administration, filling a position that had been open for more than a year. Most Democrats joined with a handful of Republicans to overcome political obstacles that threatened to sink his nomination. Dr. Robert Califf, a cardiologist, briefly headed the FDA during the Obama administration. Biden nominated him again, in part, because he was expected to easily win Senate approval. But political controversies on the left and right slowed his path. Five Democrats voted against him due to his past consulting work with drugmakers and concerns about FDA’s oversight of opioids.