Six Republicans Break With Party to Help Confirm Biden’s Controversial Nominee

The United States Senate has narrowly confirmed Robert Califf to lead the FDA.

As reported by our own Antoinette Aho, Califf faced bipartisan criticism over his drug industry ties. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) in particular expressed a strong aversion to Califf's nomination, urging the White House to “nominate an FDA commissioner that understands the gravity of the prescription drug epidemic and the role of the FDA in fighting back against the greed of the pharmaceutical industry.”

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Ms. Aho's report described in detail how Califf's apathy to the dangerous of chemical abortions led the FDA to lift regulations to permanently allow abortion pills by mail.

Yet that didn't appear to matter to Republican Sens. Mitt Romney (Utah), Susan Collins (Maine),  Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Roy Blunt (Mo.), Pat Toomey (Pa.) and Richard Burr (N.C.).

Neither Blunt, Toomey nor Burr are running for reelection.

Per Fox News:

Califf previously held the office during the end of the Obama administration from February 2016 to January 2017, and he has been criticized for not taking appropriate steps to combat the opioid crisis. Some of the toughest questions Califf faced during his December confirmation hearing came from Democrats.

“Why didn't you take action to change the oxycontin label when you led the FDA in 2016?” Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., asked the hearing, in one of several contentious exchanges.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., challenged Califf at the hearing over his ties to the pharmaceutical industry, noting that he is one of the latest examples of former FDA commissioners to go on to a job or board position with a pharmaceutical company.

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The Republican Burr, however, took the opportunity to vocalize his support prior to the vote, stating that Califf “will provide the leadership needed to promote today's biomedical advancements.” He also argued that the last time he served in the role, Califf was not in office long enough to accomplish much of anything, let alone long enough to be blamed for doing anything wrong.

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The following Democrats voted against Califf's nomination: Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.), Ed Markey (Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (Vt.).