After a fairly uneventful confirmation hearing in February, Dr. Casey Means, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Surgeon General, should have quickly moved from the Senate Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee to the Senate floor for a vote. Instead, her nomination remains stalled in committee. There are 12 Republicans and 11 Democrats who are part of HELP, so in order to move Means’ nomination forward, Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) needs the vote of 12 senators. Ultimately, since the Democrats hate all things MAHA and gave their usual demented opposition during her confirmation hearing, Cassidy cannot afford to lose any Republican members. However, there are two Republicans whose votes are still not confirmed.
HELP Chair CASSIDY says on status of Casey Means’ nomination for surgeon general that he’s still canvassing committee members
— Laura Weiss (@LauraEWeiss16) March 3, 2026
America is drowning in chronic disease. Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic chaos are not accidents—they’re the predictable result of a healthcare system engineered to keep patients sick and dependent. The solution is sitting in front of the Senate: Dr. Casey Means, President Trump’s pick for Surgeon General.
But her confirmation is being held up, blocked in committee. The process now hinges on two Republican senators: Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
Ahh, the contrarian twins. Is anyone surprised?
Read More: Dr. Casey Means Under the Microscope As Trump’s Surgeon General Nominee Is Weighed in the Balance
During Means’ confirmation hearing, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) raised concerns about Means’ admission in her book, “Good Energy,” that she used psilocybin, a psychedelic drug sometimes used in therapy to treat trauma. Means responded:
“I believe what I would say as a private citizen is, in many cases, different than what I would say as a public health official, joining a team where the purpose of this role is to communicate absolutely the best evidence-based science to the American people, to keep them safe, thriving and healthy,” Means replied.
Means also noted that medical research was being done surrounding the use of this drug to treat mental health issues.
Means noted that there is “exciting work being done in this area, that needs to continue” on psychedelic therapies for veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and individuals dealing with mental health issues.
While Means’ response did not receive a challenge from Collins that day, one can only surmise that she was less than satisfied with this answer and is still having doubts on voting affirmatively.
In that same hearing, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was highly concerned about Means’ vaccine views, and whether she would challenge Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy on the changes he allowed to the CDC vaccine advisory panel, and subsequently the childhood vaccine schedule. Means received this pushback from other senators as well, and each time she affirmed that she was not anti-vaccine, but that with any vaccine administration, physicians should be required to provide full disclosure on all potential benefits and side effects of the vaccine, as well as receive consent from the parents without pressure or bullying on the physician’s part. This response did not make Murkowski happy.
Murkowski said on Wednesday it was too soon to say whether she supports Means’ confirmation.
“These issues are important to me,” she said of Means’ positions on vaccines. “Last year when the secretary was going through his confirmations, he made certain assurances about vaccines that in fairness I am not seeing have been kept.”
With Means’ confirmation hanging in the balance, MAHA Action, the advocacy arm for the furtherance of the MAHA goals, is mounting a campaign to get the senators to change their minds.
🚨 Confirm Dr. Casey means
The MAHA movement deserves a surgeon general who will tell the truth – not a mouthpiece for the broken status quo.
Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski appear to be the two Republicans holdouts during this confirmation process.
It’s time for MAHA to… pic.twitter.com/OBonC3kYwD
— MAHA Action (@MAHA_Action) March 10, 2026
Confirm Dr. Casey Means
The MAHA movement deserves a surgeon general who will tell the truth – not a mouthpiece for the broken status quo.
Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski appear to be the two Republicans holdouts during this confirmation process.
It’s time for MAHA to get loud and call Senator Collins and Murkowski today! let them know how important it is for Dr. Casey Means to be approved.
Let’s Make America Healthy Again!
Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins
(202) 224-2523Sen. Lisa Murkowski @lisamurkowski
(202) 224-6665
The Senate HELP Committee is the battlefield.
With Democrats lined up in opposition, Collins and Murkowski are the swing votes. One “no” from either could kill the nomination before it ever reaches the full Senate.
These two senators have a choice: side with the status quo that has failed America, or stand with the millions demanding real change.
Chairman Cassidy and Sen. Collins are both up for reelection and facing tough midterm battles. We will see whether this reality, along with pressure from the MAHA Coalition and other concerned parties, will change the tide in Means’ favor.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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