U.S. Senate Confirms Susan Monarez as CDC Director

On July 29, the U.S. Senate approved the appointment of Susan Monarez, PhD, as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in a closely watched 51–47 party-line vote.

Dr. Monarez is the first CDC Director ever to require Senate confirmation, following the enactment of the CDC Leadership Accountability Act of 2023. She is also the first leader of the agency without a medical degree since 1953, as she holds a PhD in microbiology and immunology.