Senate approves Obama's FDA chief

Senate approves Obama's FDA chief-thehill: The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to confirm President Obama's nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Senators voted 89-4 on Robert Califf's nomination after he easily jumped a procedural hurdle earlier this week. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) — who has made combating the opioid epidemic central to her reelection bid — joined with Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Ed Markey (Mass.) and Joe Manchin (W.Va.) to oppose his nomination.