A nominee to lead the nation's top public health agency faced questions from US senators about protecting the agency from political influence. Dr. Erica Schwartz, the nominee, stated her commitment to science and transparency.

She is up for the director position at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based in Atlanta. The CDC is responsible for protecting Americans' health.

Further details on Dr. Schwartz's nomination and the Senate hearing are available from the Odessa American's source, the Associated Press.