Senate confirms Susan Monarez as CDC director. Here's what she's said about vaccines, fluoride and more

CDC ^ | July 29, 2025 | Sara Moniuszko

[CondoleezzaProtege]

The U.S. Senate voted… along party lines, 51 to 47, to confirm Susan Monarez as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Monarez has been serving as the acting head of the CDC since January, and previously worked as the head of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health.

At her confirmation hearing before the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) committee on July 9, Monarez garnered praise from the Republican chairman, Sen. Bill Cassidy, who is a physician, for her commitment to rebuilding public trust in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Democratic Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland specifically asked Monarez whether the water in Potomac, Maryland, which has fluoridation, is safe for families.

Monarez replied: "I believe the water in Potomac, Maryland is safe."

…Monarez faced a number of questions about vaccine recommendations.

"If I'm confirmed as CDC director, I look forward to supporting the secretary with science and evidence, and making sure that I am giving him the best information possible,” Monarez said…

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TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: cdc; fda; hhs; maha; monarez; susanmonarez

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Was rooting for Dave Weldon MD (still a practicing internist and it’s a lie that he’s anti-vax, just wants more accountability) and he was Trump’s initial pick at RFK Jr’s behest — but the Big Pharma *Republicans* like Sen Cassidy wouldn’t have it. Cassidy has been a thorn in general with just about every major public health appointment. Praying Louisianans replace his candidacy during primary season.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

oops I put the CDC link instead of the CBS one

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/cdc-director-susan-monarez-vaccines-fluoride/

[CondoleezzaProtege]

at the very least, Monarez seems better than Fauci or any of the other recent leaders.

Video: https://youtu.be/ZyufHG1BkpA?feature=shared

[packagingguy]

The article doesn’t really address fluoride in water. She talks about “direct application” which seems to imply fluoride in toothpaste or at the dentist’s office.

I hope she wants it out of our drinking water.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

From the bit she’s said, she’s okay with it in drinking water.

[Owen]

The Dems all voted against her? Did they offer an alternative name?

[logi_cal869]

She didn’t say it.

‘Nuff said.

[silverleaf]

That’s a low bar to hurdle
Public trust ain’t coming back until mrna and covid boosters are off the market and out of the hands of health officials getting paid to push them on Americans even in infancy ,

[Jacquerie]

The Rino Cassidy twice voted to convict/remove PDJT from office.

IIRC, he is the last remaining serving GOP senator who voted to convict.

He must go. Reelect him and he’ll be as MAGA as Thune/Murkowski/Collins for another six years.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

I’m not a Louisianian and I’ve never called a Congressional office until Weldon’s nomination was rescinded. I called both Sen Cassidy’s state and DC office to express my disapproval. He’s even more off putting than the other “Rino” senators you mention because of the brazen nature of his loyalties and how corrupt they are. At least with Collins, you can understand her ‘moderation’ given the political demographic makeup of Maine. But in Louisiana, there is no excuse.