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# HELP Committee Pegs Vote on Gottlieb FDA Nomination
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/help-committee-pegs-vote-on-gottlieb-fda-nomination/
- Published: 2017-04-19T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T22:18:32.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: FDA Policy/General, #legacy-id-D5138486

The Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee has planned a [4/26 vote](https://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/s-652-hr-309-s-%5F%5F%5F-protecting-patient-access-to-emergency-medications-act-of-2017-s-849-and-the-nomination-of-scott-gottlieb-to-serve-as-the-commissioner-of-food-and-drug?ref=fdaweb.com) on **Scott Gottlieb** to be the next FDA commissioner. Earlier this month, the HELP Committee held a hearing where Gottlieb was grilled about his ties to industry ([see earlier story](https://www.fdaweb.com/gottlieb-criticized-on-industry-ties-at-nomination-hearing/)). Gottlieb told members that his work with industry and investing in medical technology projects have taught him “the need for an absolutely objective regulatory watchdog over this field. If confirmed, I’ll lead the FDA as an impartial and passionate advocate for public health.” As a cancer survivor, Gottlieb said he knows what is at stake: “People’s lives are literally on the line when it comes to the decisions FDA makes, its oversight, and its enforcement of Congress’s laws.”

Committee chairman **Lamar Alexander** (R-TN) said Gottlieb has “impressive qualifications from nearly every perspective” and is the right person to lead FDA and its “vital mission” for patients. As for his previous work with companies regulated by FDA, such ties are not so unusual for someone who is going to be head of FDA, he said. “In my view, it helps to have somebody who knows something about the subject,” he added. His predecessor, **Robert Califf**, who also supports Gottlieb’s nomination, was previously employed by over 20 drug and device companies before he became commissioner, and cleared the Senate with a 95 to 4 vote, he reminded committee members.