--- title: "Senate committee advances Nicole Saphier's surgeon general nomination" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/senate-committee-advances-nicole-saphiers-surgeon-general-nomination" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/senate-committee-advances-nicole-saphiers-surgeon-general-nomination" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/senate-committee-advances-nicole-saphiers-surgeon-general-nomination.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/senate-committee-advances-nicole-saphiers-surgeon-general-nomination" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-30T16:25:49.009Z" source_reported: "2026-09-30T15:52:03.287Z" updated: "2026-09-30T16:25:49.009Z" trust_score: 50 critic_score: 60 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-30T16:15:25.144528+00:00" --- # Senate committee advances Nicole Saphier's surgeon general nomination *The HELP committee voted 12-11 to advance the nomination of Dr. Nicole Saphier.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 50 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named bodies, with two independent outlets and a document cited. - Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. Reporting includes quotes from affected parties and names specific individuals and dates. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. Headlines and presentation are measured and proportionate to the story's substance. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Dr. Nicole Saphier's nomination for surgeon general has moved forward after a Senate committee vote. - The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions voted 12 to 11 to advance her nomination. - Saphier stated she does not believe childhood vaccines cause autism and called the MMR vaccine a key tool against measles. - Sen. Bernie Sanders indicated he would vote against the nomination, citing Saphier's past questioning of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Dr. Nicole Saphier's nomination for surgeon general advanced from a Senate committee on Wednesday. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions voted 12 to 11 to move her nomination forward. Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News Channel contributor, faced questions during her confirmation hearing regarding her views on vaccines. During the hearing, Saphier stated that she does not believe childhood vaccines cause autism. She also said that the MMR vaccine is the greatest tool for combating measles infections. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the ranking member of the committee, announced he would vote against Saphier's nomination. Sanders cited Saphier's past questioning of the necessity of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth as a reason for his opposition. ## Disagreement on hepatitis B vaccine stance The Independent reported that Sen. Bernie Sanders stated Saphier "has questioned the need for the hepatitis B vaccine at birth." In contrast, The Independent also reported that Saphier stated at her confirmation hearing that the universal birth dose of hepatitis B was safe and effective. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated digests mention the 12-11 vote count for advancing Dr. Nicole Saphier's nomination. None of the centre-rated digests mention Sen. Bernie Sanders' specific reason for voting against the nomination. None of the right-rated digests mention Dr. Nicole Saphier's statement that she does not believe childhood vaccines cause autism. ## Who covered it Shares of the 15 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 47% (7) - Centre: 46% (7) - Right: 7% (1) 0 of 15 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-30T16:15:25.144528+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-30T16:30:49.497Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports from The Independent, NBC News, The Seattle Times, The Toronto Star, The Washington Post, and The Independent focused on the advancement of Dr. Nicole Saphier's nomination for surgeon general. These reports highlighted her confirmation hearing, where she was questioned about her stance on vaccines. They noted her statement that she does not believe childhood vaccines cause autism and her assertion that the MMR vaccine is a primary tool against measles. The reports also included Sen. Bernie Sanders' stated intention to vote against her nomination due to her questioning the need for the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. The Independent's full report also mentioned questions raised by Sen. Ron Wyden regarding another nominee, Chris Klomp, and his association with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports from CBS News, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, WBAL, Washington Top News, Winnipeg Free Press, The Record, WKMG, and Political Wire focused on the advancement of Dr. Nicole Saphier's nomination for surgeon general by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. These digests noted the 12-11 party-line vote. CBS News' full report included President Trump's description of Saphier as a "STAR physician" and "an INCREDIBLE COMMUNICATOR." It also detailed Sen. Bill Cassidy's support for Saphier, citing her statements on vaccine safety, and mentioned that Saphier's nomination followed the withdrawal of another nominee, Casey Means. The digests generally stated Saphier's background as a radiologist and former Fox News contributor. ### Right - The right-rated report from the Washington Examiner focused on President Donald Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, Nicole Saphier, being approved by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. The digest stated that Saphier convinced key Republican senators of her support for childhood vaccines, a position that puts her at odds with other parts of the Trump political coalition. It also noted her profession as a radiologist specializing in breast cancer. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 1 - high: 8 - veryHigh: 6 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [NBC News](https://nbcnews.com/health/health-news/nicole-saphier-surgeon-general-senate-committee-advances-nomination-rcna600708) — Senate committee advances Dr. Nicole Saphier’s nomination for surgeon general - [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](https://post-gazette.com/news/health/2026/09/30/nicole-saphier-surgeon-general-nomination/stories/202609300046) — Senate committee advances Dr. Nicole Saphier’s nomination for surgeon general - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/senate-committee-advances-dr-nicole-saphiers-nomination-for-surgeon-general) — Senate committee advances Dr. Nicole Saphier's nomination for sur - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/us-politics/2026/09/senate-committee-advances-dr-nicole-saphiers-nomination-for-surgeon-general) — Senate committee advances Dr. Nicole Saphier’s nomination for surgeon general – WTOP News - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/senate-committee-advances-dr-nicole-saphiers-nomination-for-surgeon-general) — Senate committee advances Dr. Nicole Saphier’s nomination for surgeon general - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/health/2026/09/30/senate-committee-advances-dr-nicole-saphiers-nomination-for-surgeon-general) — Senate committee advances Dr. Nicole Saphier's nomination for surgeon general - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/senate-committee-advances-dr-nicole-saphier-s-nomination-for-surgeon-general/article_573d6226-6625-5a65-a2c4-c0646d2f353a.html) — Senate committee advances Dr. Nicole Saphier’s nomination for surgeon general - [The Record](https://therecord.com/life/health-wellness/senate-committee-advances-dr-nicole-saphier-s-nomination-for-surgeon-general/article_c5eef9d2-e201-5678-bbf0-2b877c04e334.html) — Senate committee advances Dr. Nicole Saphier’s nomination for surgeon general - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/donald-trump-senate-bill-cassidy-washington-bernie-sanders-b3059176.html) — Senate committee advances Dr. Nicole Saphier's nomination for surgeon general - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/news/politics/2026/09/30/senate-committee-advances-dr-nicole-saphiers-nomination-for-surgeon-general) — Senate committee advances Dr. Nicole Saphier's nomination for surgeon general - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/donald-trump-senate-bill-cassidy-washington-bernie-sanders-b3059176.html) — Senate committee advances Dr. Nicole Saphier's nomination for surgeon general - [Political Wire](https://politicalwire.com/2026/09/30/trumps-nominee-to-be-surgeon-general-clears-key-hurdle) — Trump’s Nominee to Be Surgeon General Clears Key Hurdle - [The Washington Post](https://washingtonpost.com/health/2026/09/30/trumps-nominee-be-nations-top-doctor-clears-key-hurdle-senate-committee) — Trump’s nominee to be nation’s top doctor clears key hurdle in Senate committee - [Washington Examiner](https://washingtonexaminer.com/policy/healthcare/4737778/trump-surgeon-general-pick-nicole-saphier-advances-senate-vaccine-feuds) — Trump surgeon general pick advances in Senate - [CBS News](https://cbsnews.com/news/nicole-saphier-surgeon-general-nomination-advances-senate) — Senate committee advances Nicole Saphier's nomination for surgeon general ## Questions **What was the vote count for Dr. Nicole Saphier's nomination?** The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions voted 12 to 11 to advance Dr. Nicole Saphier's nomination for surgeon general. This vote count was reported by The Independent and CBS News. **What did Dr. Nicole Saphier say about vaccines?** Dr. Nicole Saphier stated that she does not believe childhood vaccines cause autism. She also said that the MMR vaccine is the greatest tool for combating measles infections. She also stated that the universal birth dose of hepatitis B was safe and effective. **Why did Senator Bernie Sanders oppose the nomination?** Senator Bernie Sanders stated he would vote against Dr. Nicole Saphier's nomination because she has questioned the need for the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. He also said the nation needs a surgeon general who will tell the truth about vaccines. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/senate-committee-advances-nicole-saphiers-surgeon-general-nomination. 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