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# Cancer Advocacy Group Urges Califf Confirmation
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/cancer-advocacy-group-urges-califf-confirmation/
- Published: 2016-02-01T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T02:32:12.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: FDA Policy/General, #legacy-id-D5134621

> Friends of Cancer Research [says](https://medium.com/@CancerResrch/at-pivotal-moment-in-public-health-fda-needs-a-strong-leader-521d01e28058?ref=fdaweb.com#.u1q6zpp1c) politics is getting in the way of the Senate’s confirmation of **Robert Califf** to be the next FDA commissioner. The group urges the Senate to quickly approve the nomination because the country is at a public health “pivotal moment” and needs a strong commissioner in place. “Congress is gearing up for the next PDUFA reauthorization, landmark biomedical legislation is being considered from both the House and Senate, the president’s Precision Medicine Initiative is improving treatments and the vice president is leading a Cancer Moonshot to eradicate this disease,” the group says. “Congress and the administration look to make strides on these issues in 2016 and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will play a critical role in moving these initiatives forward.”  
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> The group notes several senators have threatened to block Califf’s confirmation for various reasons. Sen. **Joe Manchin** (D-WV) said would filibuster the nomination because of Califf’s strong ties to the pharmaceutical industry. Earlier, Sen. **Bernie Sanders** (I-VT) placed a hold ([see story](https://www.fdaweb.com/sen-bernie-sanders-places-hold-on-califf-nomination/)) for the same reason. A separate hold was placed by Sen. **Edward J. Markey** (D-MA), who called for immediate reforms to the agency’s approval process for opioid painkillers ([see earlier story](https://www.fdaweb.com/sen-markey-places-hold-on-califf-nomination/)). Sen. **Lisa** **Murkowski** (R-AK) has pledged to hold up the confirmation on the Senate floor until she has reassurances from FDA that genetically modified salmon will be labeled as such. And Senator **Kelly Ayotte** (R-NH) recently said she will join Markey over opposition to opioids.  
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> Friends of Cancer Research notes that these issues “deserve serious discussion and are inappropriately being used in this case to halt the nomination of a leader taking the reins of an agency that aims to protect patients. The FDA needs a strong commissioner with broad support at such a pivotal time. Congress must ensure that FDA continues its important mission to provide patients with safe and effective treatments. We ask the Senate to put politics aside to do what is right by patients and immediately confirm Dr. Robert Califf as FDA commissioner.”