Dr. Marty Makary is the man President Donald Trump has nominated to serve as head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Despite facing sharp questions from Democrats on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), a 14 to nine vote on Thursday put him one step closer to confirmation.  

Makary pledges to focus on obesity and chronic illness

According to Fox News, Makary touted the priorities espoused by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as well as Trump himself.

"We now have a generational opportunity in American healthcare. President Trump and Secretary Kennedy's focus on healthy foods has galvanized a grassroots movement in America," Makary was quoted as saying at a hearing last week.

"Childhood obesity is not a willpower problem, and the rise of early-onset Alzheimer's is not a genetic cause. We should be, and we will, be addressing food as it impacts our health," he told lawmakers.

"Thanks to the courage of President Trump and Secretary Kennedy, we now have a generational opportunity to usher in radical transparency to facilitate more cures, meaningful treatments and diagnostics at the FDA to help people take care of their own health," Makary added.

Nominee says he will work with DOGE to reduce waste

What's more, Makary indicated that he will work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to identify unnecessary spending within the FDA.

Dr. Marty Makary advances out of key committee in bid for FDA confirmation https://t.co/f7URrwWQ8b

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"If confirmed, I will do my own independent assessment on personnel," the nominee explained to committee members.

"At the same time, I want to make sure that the scientists and food inspectors and staff, central to the core mission of the agency, have all the resources they need to do their job well," he stressed.

Makary turns the table when asked about vaccines

Fox News noted that Democrats, including Washington Sen. Patty Murray, were quick to confront Makary regarding his stance on vaccines.

Murray at one point asked Makary, who advocated for natural immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic, if he would commit to scheduling an "FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee meeting to get the expert views."

"I would re-evaluate which topics deserve a convening of the advisory committee members on [Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee] and which may not require a convening," Makary responded.

When Murray repeated her question, Makary reacted by saying, "Well, you can ask the Biden administration that chose not to convene the committee meeting for the COVID vaccine booster."