Trump pulls nomination for stalled surgeon general nominee Means and says he’ll put forth Saphier

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s nominating Fox News Channel contributor Nicole Saphier for surgeon general after Casey Means’ path forward stalled in the Senate over questions about her experience and her stance on vaccines.

In a social media post Thursday, the Republican president said Saphier is “a STAR physician who has spent her career guiding women facing breast cancer through their diagnosis and treatment.”

Senators of both major political parties grilled Means on her vaccine stance and other health topics during a tense confirmation hearing, deepening doubts about her ability to secure the votes she needs for the role.

Earlier Thursday, Trump on social media commended Means as “a strong MAHA Warrior,” also criticizing the “intransigence and political games” from GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who interrogated Means about vaccines during the hearing.

The withdrawal of Means’ nomination to be the next U.S. surgeon general is a blow to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his movement, which championed Means for the role as the country’s top doctor despite her nontraditional path in medicine and some controversial past remarks on vaccines and other health topics.

The withdrawal comes after tense exchanges between Means and lawmakers of both parties threw into question whether she could secure enough votes to advance out of the Senate health committee. Her nomination had languished since her confirmation hearing in late February, even as activists from Kennedy’s Make America Great Again movement orchestrated a push to support her bid by surging phone calls to Republican senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, who had both indicated reservations with the pick.

In nominating Means last May, Trump sought to hire a close ally of Kennedy as the nation’s doctor. Means, a Stanford-education physician whose disillusionment with the healthcare system led to her career as an author and entrepreneur, promotes ideas popular with the MAHA movement, including that Americans are overmedicalized and that diet and lifestyle changes should be at the center of efforts to end widespread chronic disease.

https://apnews.com/article/trump-surgeon-general-means-saphier-cebadfb452fb577b6cd5254e2e55d86b

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House Passes Rep. Luna’s Amendment to Remove Pesticide Liability Protections in Farm Bill

The Farm Bill passed on the House floor 224-200 with Rep. Luna's amendment adopted into the final text

Apr 30, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, after a vote on the House floor Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna’s amendment, which removes provisions shielding pesticide manufacturers from liability and preserves critical public health protections, was successfully adopted into the Farm Bill, which has now passed the House and will move to the Senate.

Rep. Luna’s amendment restores Americans’ right to take these companies to court when their products cause harm. It forces clear, enforceable warning labels, ensuring families know the risks, and protects drinking water and public health from unchecked chemical exposure.

With this amendment adopted, the Farm Bill no longer shields chemical companies from accountability, it puts the rights of American families first as the legislation moves to the Senate.

This action comes amid growing concern over the health impacts of pesticide exposure, with multiple studies linking these chemicals to increased risks of cancer, including childhood cancers. By removing these provisions, the amendment preserves the ability of states and individuals to hold manufacturers accountable and prevents federal overreach that would override stricter local protections.

“I do not support giving blanket immunity to corporations at the expense of American families,” said Congresswoman Luna. “Pesticides are linked to a 30% increase in childhood cancer and over 170 studies corroborate the evidence. This amendment ensures we stand on the side of the American people and the health of our nation, not corporate interests.”

The adoption of this amendment marks a significant step in ensuring the Farm Bill prioritizes public health, consumer protections, and the rights of states to enforce stronger standards where necessary. The Farm Bill passed on the House floor 224-200 and will now move to the Senate.

https://luna.house.gov/posts/house-passes-rep-lunas-amendment-to-remove-pesticide-liability-protections-in-farm-bill