President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) faced tough questions from senators during her confirmation hearing on Wednesday. Much of the discussion focused on vaccine policy, scientific independence, and the future direction of the public health agency. Erica Schwartz appeared before the Senate health committee as lawmakers examined her qualifications and leadership plans. Several senators wanted clear answers about whether she would make independent decisions if confirmed. The strongest questions came from Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. Cassidy, a physician and chairman of the Senate health committee, repeatedly asked Schwartz whether she would stand up to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. if they disagreed on vaccine issues. Schwartz did not directly answer those questions. Instead, she said she would always support science and would never compromise scientific integrity. She also said Kennedy would allow her to perform her duties as CDC director if she receives Senate approval. Schwartz told lawmakers that protecting science would remain one of her top priorities. She said she wants to rebuild public trust in the CDC through greater transparency and careful decision-making. During the hearing, Cassidy continued to press her on whether she would remove any CDC officials who promoted claims linking vaccines to autism. Schwartz again avoided giving a direct commitment. She said she would review any concerns carefully before making decisions. Senator Bernie Sanders also questioned Schwartz about vaccines. He asked whether she accepted the scientific evidence showing that vaccines do not cause autism. Schwartz said she agreed with the existing scientific evidence. However, she did not promise to remove any CDC website material that could suggest a connection between vaccines and autism. Instead, she said she would first examine the information and discuss the issue with Kennedy. Cassidy expressed disappointment with several of her responses. He said the CDC needs a leader who will defend science and protect public confidence in vaccination. He also said scientific information published by the agency should reflect established medical research instead of political opinions. The hearing included questions about other public health decisions as well. Lawmakers asked Schwartz whether she would have supported keeping the military's flu vaccine requirement after it was removed. The policy was later restored following a flu outbreak at a Texas military base. Schwartz declined to answer, saying she did not want to comment on hypothetical situations. Throughout the hearing, she emphasized her commitment to honesty and scientific integrity. At the same time, Schwartz expressed support for the administration's broader health goals. She told Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville that she fully supports the "Make America Healthy Again" agenda. The committee also reviewed the nomination of Sean Kaufman for assistant secretary for preparedness and response. Kaufman would oversee national emergency preparedness, including vaccines, medical supplies, and protective equipment during public health emergencies. Cassidy also challenged Kaufman over previous comments about vaccines. The senator questioned Kaufman about his past support for ending government funding for mRNA vaccine research. Cassidy described mRNA technology as an important part of the country's public health and emergency response system. When asked whether he would support restoring funding, Kaufman said he would work for the best possible mRNA research platform. Cassidy responded that the answer did not fully address his question. During one exchange, the discussion became more intense as Cassidy raised his voice while challenging Kaufman's previous public statements. Kaufman has previously questioned some childhood vaccination policies and had shared comments that referred to the false claim linking vaccines to autism. He also made controversial remarks in a social media post that was later deleted. During the hearing, Kaufman distanced himself from those earlier statements. He told senators that vaccines save lives and described them as safe and effective. Despite the sharp questioning, both nominees received support from several Republican senators. Senator Roger Marshall praised Schwartz's qualifications and said Kaufman was well suited for the preparedness role. The confirmation hearing comes during a period of leadership changes at the CDC. Trump nominated Schwartz in April after several changes at the agency's top leadership. The CDC has spent much of the current administration without a permanent director. If confirmed, Schwartz would take charge as the agency responds to several major public health challenges. These include the largest measles outbreak in the United States in decades, declining childhood vaccination rates, and international Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa. Lawmakers are expected to continue reviewing both nominations before deciding whether to advance them for a full Senate vote. The outcome could shape the future leadership of the nation's leading public health agency.