Name: White House blocked FDA commissioner from testifying to House panel
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White House blocked FDA commissioner from testifying to House panel

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Stephen Hahn has worked to reassert his agency's independence amid pressure from Trump.FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn wears a protective covering during a congressional hearing. | Al Drago/Getty ImagesThe White House has blocked FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn from testifying to a House committee about his agency’s pandemic response, angering the panel’s top Democrats who said they have pressing questions about political interference at the agency.“The American people deserve to hear Commissioner Hahn’s response to those concerns during a public hearing and what actions he is taking to ensure that the agency’s COVID-19 decisions remain science-based,” said (D-N.J.), chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and (D-Calif.), who heads its health subcommittee.FDA did not immediately respond to questions. Hahn briefed members of the committee during a private Aug. 31 teleconference, but there is “bipartisan interest” in holding a public hearing, the Democrats said.A White House spokesperson confirmed that Hahn was blocked from testifying, calling the decision “part of the administration’s existing protocol to make sure health officials can keep their time and energy focused on responding to the coronavirus.” The spokesperson noted Hahn has testified to Congress four times in the past six months, including before Pallone’s committee in June.President Donald Trump and Melania Trump for Covid-19.Hahn, who is scheduled to testify before a Republican-led Senate panel next week, in recent weeks has worked to reestablish his agency’s independence amid pressure from President Donald Trump to deliver faster on coronavirus vaccines and treatments. , a Trump appointee, after a disastrous rollout of an emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma. He also has repeatedly pledged the FDA will be transparent about how it evaluates Covid-19 vaccine candidates.“I am often asked about how and when FDA will authorize or approve a vaccine to protect against [Covid-19]. Here is my answer: when the agency’s scientific experts have completed their review and are ready to do so, and not a moment before,” .Background: Hahn appears to be the most recent administration official blocked from testifying before a House panel on the administration’s coronavirus response. The White House earlier this week before a House Oversight subcommittee about the administration’s use of the Defense Production Act to manufacture ventilators.What’s next: Hahn is still scheduled to appear at a Senate HELP Committee hearing on Sept. 23 alongside infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci, CDC Director Robert Redfield and HHS testing czar Brett Giroir.

Stephen Hahn has worked to reassert his agency's independence amid pressure from Trump.FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn wears a protective covering during a congressional hearing. | Al Drago/Getty ImagesThe White House has blocked FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn from testifying to a House committee about his agency’s pandemic response, angering the panel’s top Democrats who said they have pressing questions about political interference at the agency.“The American people deserve to hear Commissioner Hahn’s response to those concerns during a public hearing and what actions he is taking to ensure...

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White House blocked FDA commissioner from testifying to House panel

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