Democratic and Republican lawmakers peppered US President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general with hours of questions at a confirmation hearing on Wednesday, asking Casey Means about her stands on vaccines and more.
Means - a doctor, entrepreneur, and health influencer - was also questioned heavily about her qualifications and possible conflicts of interest.
Unlike past surgeon generals, who lead the 6,000-person US Public Health Service, the 38-year-old Stanford-trained doctor does not have an active medical licence.
She currently is considered a leader in the Make America Healthy Again (Maha) movement championed by Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, and has published the book Good Energy that advocates natural foods, exercise, and lifestyle changes to achieve strong health.
The committee is expected to vote on her nomination soon, and, if it is approved, send it to the full chamber.
