NWLC Reacts to David Weldon’s Withdrawal as CDC Nominee

WASHINGTON, DC (March 13, 2025) – The White House has withdrawn David Weldon’s nomination for Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after he failed to secure enough support in the Senate.

In response, Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, issued the following statement:

“Weldon’s withdrawal is a win for public health and reproductive freedom. His long record of attacking abortion access, spreading medical misinformation, and putting ideology over science made him unfit to lead the CDC. David Weldon has the most anti-abortion record of all of Trump’s nominees so far, so it’s no surprise he didn’t have the votes—Americans overwhelmingly reject anti-abortion policies, and the Senate rightfully refused to advance a nominee who would undermine reproductive health, rights, and justice. President Trump has claimed abortion policy should be left to the states—but so far, his administration has failed to prove it. He can start by nominating a CDC leader who respects science, public health, and the right to bodily autonomy.”

Earlier this week, NWLC led a coalition of more than 80 reproductive rights, health, justice, and health equity organizations in urging the Senate to reject Weldon’s nomination, citing his dangerous record and unfitness for the role.