US CDC, ASPR nominees get HELPing hand toward Senate confirmationErica Schwartz is one step away from becoming the next director of the U.S. CDC. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted 13-10 July 30 to favorably report her nomination to the Senate floor for confirmation. The committee also favorably reported the nomination of Sean Kaufman, on a party line vote of 12-11, to be the assistant secretary for preparedness and response (ASPR) at the Department of Health and Human Services.