WASHINGTON — The Senate voted largely along party lines to confirm Marty Makary as the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and Jay Bhattacharya as director of the National Institutes of Health.
All Republicans backed Bhattacharya in a 53-47 vote, and all Republicans plus three Democrats backed Makary in a 56-44 vote. It’s the conclusion to a smooth confirmation process for Bhattacharya and Makary, who both echoed health secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s promises to make America healthy again during their confirmation hearings in March.
The Senate also confirmed technologist Michael Kratsios as head of the Office of Science and Technology Policy with a 74-25 vote on Tuesday. Kratsios served in OSTP during Trump’s first term and was keenly focused on artificial intelligence and ensuring U.S. technology leadership over China. His confirmation was widely expected, as he has drawn mostly positive reviews from former colleagues and OSTP heads who served in Democratic and Republican administrations.
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