Senator Edward Markey maintains opposition to FDA commissioner nominee ahead of vote

The Boston Globe: WASHINGTON — The Senate voted Monday to move toward final confirmation of a new Food and Drug Administration commissioner, brushing aside objections from Democrat Edward Markey of Massachusetts who opposed the appointment over FDA approvals of prescription opioids.

The motion easily cleared the required 60-vote threshold, passing 80-to-6. The bipartisan support set up a vote Tuesday to confirm for Dr. Robert Califf, a former Duke University researcher selected by President Obama to lead the agency.

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