**President Trump nominated physician and White House Domestic Policy Council deputy director Heidi Overton on August 19, 2026, to lead the FDA following Marty Makary’s May resignation.** Her confirmation requires Senate HELP Committee advancement and a full Senate vote under the narrow Republican majority. Chairman Sen. Bill Cassidy has voiced strong reservations over Overton’s involvement in a recent childhood vaccine schedule executive order and her limited senior management experience. At her September 24 confirmation hearing, Overton affirmed the safety and efficacy of current FDA-approved vaccines and mifepristone while stressing adherence to statutory standards and priorities like accelerating innovation and countering Chinese biotech competition. No committee vote has been scheduled as of early October, with proceedings potentially delayed past the November session, leaving the outcome dependent on Republican unity and procedural timing.