Panel Advances Nicole Saphier

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee advanced Dr. Nicole Saphier, President Donald Trump’s third nominee for surgeon general, to the full Senate on a 12-11 party-line vote. Saphier is a radiologist and former Fox News medical contributor, chosen after earlier picks stalled. The surgeon general mainly carries public health messages; if confirmed, Saphier would oversee the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. At her hearing, Saphier rejected vaccine-autism claims, called MMR the main measles tool, and defended the hepatitis B birth dose. Sen. Bernie Sanders and other critics said she had questioned that shot’s need at birth. The full Senate vote is pending and not yet scheduled.