Crawford cleared, FDA confirmation still blocked

The Department of Health and Human Services said an internal agency review has found no evidence to support allegations that acting Food and Drug Administration chairman Lester Crawford had an affair with a personal assistant. That appears to clear the way for the confirmation process to proceed for the highest ranking official at the regulatory agency.

But at least three senators threatened to block a Senate vote on Crawford's confirmation. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said they will block any confirmation attempt until the FDA completes the long-delayed safety review for the "morning after" contraceptive Plan B. On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), said he would take similar action unless the agency requires a new warning label for condoms. So Crawford's confirmation is still uncertain and unrest at the top of FDA continues.

- see this story from The New York Times