Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty Applauds Senate Confirmation of Dr. Vivek Murthy as New Surgeon General

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) applauded the U.S. Senate's confirmation of Dr. Vivek Murthy as the new Surgeon General. President Obama nominated Dr. Murthy on November 13, 2013, and the position of Surgeon General has been vacant since July 2014. Senate Republicans previously blocked Dr. Murthy's nomination in part because of the National Rifle Association's opposition to Dr. Murthy's view of gun violence as a public health issue.

"I applaud the U.S. Senate for confirming Dr. Vivek Murthy today as our country's new Surgeon General," said Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty. "Dr. Murthy is a well-qualified, innovative leader who spearheaded efforts to address the epidemic of childhood obesity and combat HIV/AIDS. However, I am dismayed by the partisan battle that held up Dr. Murthy's confirmation for over a year despite urgent public health crises like the Ebola outbreak. It's shameful that some Senate Republicans catered to the NRA and other special interests that refuse to see gun violence as a public health concern. Dr. Murthy's confirmation is long overdue, and I look forward to working with him on critical health issues facing our country and our world."

In January, Esty joined Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) in introducing House Resolution 468, which defines gun violence as a public health issue and commits Congress to enacting commonsense steps that will prevent gun violence and protect the 2nd amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners.

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