Senator ‘concerned’

“I am deeply concerned by the nominee’s involvement in advocating for the deregulation of toxic chemicals known as PFAS and I also have questions about her potential involvement with the CDC coronavirus guidance,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the committee, in a statement to AP.

PFAS are a class of chemicals used in making nonstick cooking pans and raincoats, and the chemicals have been linked to birth defects.

Cantwell sent a letter of inquiry on Wednesday to Beck, asking for more information. Beck did not immediately respond to questions from AP sent to her via email.

Beck’s role in the coronavirus guidance document was revealed in a series of emails from late April obtained by the AP.

On April 10, CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield emailed the guidance to a group that included some of the president’s closest White House advisers, including Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, counselor Kellyanne Conway, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert. Redfield

wrote that he wanted White House review and clearance to post the documents on the CDC website.

By the time the administration had released its Opening Up America Again plan on April 17, the process had stalled.

The emails show that the CDC’s chief of staff, Robert “Kyle” McGowan, emailed Beck on April 26 seeking an update. “We need them as soon as possible so that we can get them posted,” McGowan wrote.

Beck responded that they still needed approval. “WH principals are in touch with the task force so the task force should be aware of status.”

The next day McGowan checked with Beck again. “I have no word on revisions yet for the rest of the package. My understanding is it is still being reviewed,” she responded.

One of Beck’s colleagues, Satya P. Thallam, followed up, saying the White House Principal’s Committee had not yet responded. “However, I am passing along their message: they have given strict and explicit direction that these documents are not yet cleared and cannot go out as of right now — this includes related press statements or other communications that may preview content or timing of guidances.”

McGowan responded that White House changes would cause further delay.

“The comments and edits we get back will have to be reviewed at the CDC for scientific accuracy,” McGowan responded to Thallam and Beck. “We will not be able to post the document we get back from the WH quickly if there are a substantial number of edits.”