Former FDA commissioner Dr. Robert Califf
President Joe Biden has nominated Dr. Robert Califf to return to the FDA as commissioner, a post he held during the Obama administration. [Image is public domain]

Dr. Robert Califf nomination to return as FDA commissioner has cleared a critical procedural vote in the U.S. Senate.

The Senate voted 49-45 yesterday on a cloture vote to limit debate and move toward a final vote on Califf’s confirmation, which could take place before the end of the week. Califf’s confirmation isn’t a done deal yet, but a cloture vote generally indicates senators’ final votes.

Several Republicans joined Democrats on the close vote, enabling Califf’s nomination to overcome strong opposition from Sen. Joe Manchin, D–West Virginia. Manchin has critical of Califf’s work as a drug company consultant — suggesting that his ties to the pharma industry are too close when the country is still dealing with an opioid abuse epidemic.

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