G2G Bio Bulletin – August 24, 2026
G2G Highlights
The G2G team was again on Capitol Hill this past week engaging with the offices of key Members of Congress, including:
- Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-ME)
- Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA)
- Senate Appropriations, Labor Health and Human Services (LHHS) Subcommittee Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
- House Energy & Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY)
- House Republican Policy Committee Chair Jay Obernolte (R-CA)
- National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) Commissioner Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA)
- BIOTech Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)
Updates from Washington
Congress: Both chambers continue to be in recess.
Administration & Agencies:
- CDC: Newly confirmed Director Dr. Erica Schwartz convened her first meeting with agency staff, where she apologized for the “extreme psychological unsafety” that CDC employees have faced in expressing concerns about policy changes amid significant reductions in force.
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FDA: President Trump has nominated Dr. Heidi Overton to be FDA Commissioner:
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Dr. Overton currently serves on the Domestic Policy Council, previously served in the first Trump Administration and worked with former Commissioner Marty Makary at Johns Hopkins.
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She is close to the White House and HHS Secretary Kennedy, and is key figure in advancing the Administration’s vaccine policies. However, she has received criticism from segments of the MAHA community.
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Her path to confirmation may be complicated. Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA), expressed concerns about Dr. Overton's positions regarding vaccines and lack of managerial experience.
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- White House, Other HHS Agencies & Departments:
- Vaccines:
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One week after the White House issued an executive order seeking to remake childhood vaccination schedules, HHS issued a request for information (RFI) on how federal vaccine recommendations are made, and the role of shared clinical decision-making. Comments are due September 20.
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Additionally, the Administration has reinstated the Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines, that was disbanded in 1998, and opened up nominations for membership of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC), which must be submitted by September 11.
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- Federal Court Decisions on HHS Issues: Judges recently ruled:
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Against against a coalition of Democratic governors and attorneys general challenging a 2025 Administration rule on the ACA, that increased scrutiny of exchange enrollments and shortened enrollment periods among other measures. This contrasts to a prior federal ruling against the Administration’s position.
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Against Servier Pharmaceuticals' effort to phase in Medicare drug price discounts under the IRA’s negotiation provisions.
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In favor of a coalition of local governments and health groups by issuing a preliminary injunction against HHS, preventing the department's termination of grants for teen pregnancy prevention programs from taking effect.
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In favor of a coalition of drugmakers who alleged that HRSA unlawfully allowed certain clinics supported by Sagebrush Health Services to receive 340B drug discounts.
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- Vaccines:
Reminder: Don’t miss the monthly GBG Report call every third Thursday of the month at 12 pm ET where the team discusses the latest federal life sciences funding opportunities. G2G has raised $624M and is eager to share our expertise to help companies grow and accelerate bringing innovations to patients.