Dr. Marty Makary appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP) yesterday for his confirmation hearing to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Unlike the confirmation hearing for his potential boss, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Makary’s session before lawmakers was mostly cordial.
The Johns Hopkins University surgeon and researcher fielded a plethora of questions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle about topics ranging from the safety of abortion pills and seed oils to flu vaccines and information transparency.
Kennedy and Makary share the same views on multiple issues.
Like Kennedy, Makary over the years has criticized COVID-19 mandates, advocated removing chemicals and toxins from the U.S. food supply, and proposed greater transparency in medicine.
If confirmed, Makary would explore vaccine safety, research additives and dyes in food, and address chronic diseases, among other initiatives.
Though Kennedy’s Make American Healthy Again initiatives, including food and nutrition, were discussed at the hearing, Makary was peppered by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle about a canceled flu vaccine meeting and the abortion drug, mifepristone.
The FDA canceled an annual meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee on Feb. 27 which usually discusses and chooses which flu strains to target in the upcoming fall season.
Related Story
Makary was asked about the move by Democratic and Republican lawmakers. He pledged to review the decision if he is confirmed.
FDA internal scientists will determine strains for the shots and send them to manufacturers to make sure that updated vaccines are ready for the fall, according to the Trump administration.
Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who is a physician, criticized the canceled meeting.
“What is lost is the transparency,” Cassidy said, adding that cutting public discussion on vaccines detracts from Kennedy’s “radical transparency” pledge.
Makary repeatedly noted that he was not part of the decision to cancel the VRBAC meeting. He added that the committee has often just “rubber stamped” recommendations approved by the World Health Organization’s Global Influenza Program.
Makary was frequently asked about what his plans are regarding approval and safety protocols for the chemical abortion drug mifepristone, which has emerged as a hot-button issue.
The FDA rolled back safety regulations on mifepristone during the Biden administration. This included in-person screening requirements to estimate the gestational age and location of the pregnancy before prescribing the abortion drug.
Cassidy said studies on the safety of mifepristone for pregnant women have been conducted but that there is limited knowledge as to mifepristone’s effect on infants who survive failed or reversed abortion attempts.
Makary said that he would follow the “tried and true” independent review process used by the FDA for decades.
The FDA continually collects reports of side effects and complications regarding mifepristone, and Makary said he wouldn’t “prejudge the data without seeing it.”
Throughout his confirmation process, and since he took office, Kennedy has spoken several times about ushering in an era of “radical transparency” within the Department of Health and Human Services. That belief is in line with previous comments from Makary.
His 2012 book, “Unaccountable,” advocated greater transparency by detailing problems in U.S. medicine. It later inspired a Fox drama series called “The Resident.”
Makary said on Thursday that he will carry out Kennedy’s mission of “radical transparency.”
“If confirmed, I hope to ensure the FDA holds to the gold standard of trusted science, transparency, and common sense to rebuild public trust and make America healthy again,” Makary said.
—Jeff Louderback
BOOKMARKS
Donald Trump has revoked the security clearances of employees at Perkins Coie, a law firm involved in the creation of the Steele Dossier. In 2016 the firm paid retired British intelligence officer Christopher Steele to conduct research that was later used to accuse the president of collaborating with Russia to steal the U.S. election.
The United States and Ukraine will take another shot at peace talks to end the war with Russia. Both nations are planning to meet in Saudi Arabia and work out a deal, after negotiations fell apart late last month.
Trump has expanded the list of goods that will be tariff-free until April 2, to include imports covered under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement from Trump’s first term. About 50 percent of imports from Mexico and 38 percent from Canada will be part of the exemption.
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols ruled on March 6 that the Trump administration can move forward with its plan to fire a large number of contractors working for USAID. The administration says it plans to cancel more than 90 percent of USAID’s contracts and grants.
Layoffs rose 245 percent in February, a number fueled by the loss of tens of thousands of federal government jobs. Retailers were hit hard too, losing 572 percent more jobs in the first two months of 2025 than over the same period last year.
—Stacy Robinson
