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# Senate Cloture Vote Passes to Advance Califf Nomination
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/senate-cloture-vote-passes-to-advance-califf-nomination/
- Published: 2016-02-22T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T02:37:55.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: FDA Policy/General, #legacy-id-D5134854

> The Senate 2/22 succeeded (80 to 6) in a cloture vote to advance **Robert Califf**’s nomination to be the next FDA commissioner. A full Senate floor vote on the nomination could take place as early as 2/23.  
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> Opposition to advancing the nomination was led by Sens. **Joe Manchin** (D-WV), **Edward J. Markey** (D-MA) and **Richard Blumenthal** (D-CT), all complaining that Califf is not the ideal candidate FDA needs to tackle the “deadly epidemic” occurring with prescription opioid products. Manchin and Markey held a press conference earlier before the vote calling for reforms at FDA to respond to the prescription opioid crisis.  
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> “With 51 Americans dying every day due to an opioid overdose, the FDA now more than ever needs a champion who is committed to changing the way the agency handles opioids,” Manchin said. “The FDA needs new leadership, new focus and a new culture. Dr. Califf’s past involvement with the pharmaceutical industry indicates that he will not be this person. He will not have the impact or leadership capabilities that the nation needs to stem the tide of the opioid crisis. It is for these reasons that I am opposing Dr. Califf’s nomination as the FDA commissioner.”