The Senate voted 51-47 to confirm Monarez on Tuesday. Both Georgia Senators, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, voted no. This is the first Senate confirmation vote for the CDC Director. Prior to 2023, the position did not require Senate approval.

Monarez, a microbiologist and infectious disease expert who has served across several federal health agencies over the years, was the CDC’s deputy director from January to March.

The Senate confirmed Susan Monarez as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday evening.