Trump urges Senate to confirm FDA pick before the 2026 midterms

President Donald Trump publicly called on the Senate to move quickly on confirming Dr. Heidi Overton as the next FDA commissioner before the 2026 midterm elections, in which Republicans are defending a slim majority. Speaking at an Oval Office gathering that included Overton, Trump said he favored her and hoped the process would be expedited, echoing a similar desire expressed by Health and Human Services Secretary Bobby Kennedy.

Overton was nominated during the recent congressional recess, and the Senate is not slated to return to Washington until September 14, with another extended recess planned for most of October to accommodate campaign activities. The timing raises the possibility of a pre-election hearing that could force Republican senators, such as Susan Collins, to confront abortion-related questions, given her role on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Some anti-abortion Republicans have expressed disappointment that the administration has not pursued further national restrictions on abortion, underscoring internal party tensions. Trump’s remarks were delivered on Monday and reflect a strategic push to secure the appointment before voters head to the polls.