Abortion Pills, Vaccines and Food Safety: F.D.A. Nominee Heidi Overton Faces Senate Confirmation Hearing

Dr. Heidi Overton, President Trump’s nominee to run the Food and Drug Administration, gave few hints in her Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday about whether she would restrict access to abortion pills, medication that she has strongly criticized in the past. Under sharp questioning, she pledged to communicate that currently approved vaccines are safe and effective.

But when pressed repeatedly on whether she would push back on interference from Mr. Trump on tobacco policy or against false statements about vaccines or Tylenol, Dr. Overton declined to say, responding only that she has had “robust” discussions with the president and that he wants the best for the American people.

The chairman of the committee reviewing her nomination, Senator Bill Cassidy, Republican of Louisiana and a doctor, set the stakes for the hearing, recounting what he called Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s broken promise to protect vaccine access.

Mr. Kennedy had made that pledge to win Mr. Cassidy’s vote for his confirmation, but later broke it because “the president had told him to do something,” Mr. Cassidy said, adding, “He had to do what the president told him to do.”

Mr. Cassidy exhorted Dr. Overton: “This committee needs to know whether you’ll be radically honest, whether you will use your authority to stand up for sound science and protect children’s health.”

What followed, though, suggested that Dr. Overton would remain loyal to Mr. Trump as she repeated that he made decisions in the best interest of the American people.