TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) – State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is scheduled Tuesday to go before the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee for a confirmation hearing, after facing heavy criticism from Democrats during a similar hearing last month.
Ladapo, who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in September, has become a controversial figure because of his views on handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ladapo and DeSantis, in part, have rejected mask and vaccination requirements.
During a Jan. 26 meeting of the Senate Health Policy Committee, Democrats walked out before a vote because they said Ladapo was not answering their questions. The majority of Republicans on the committee voted for his confirmation.
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The surgeon general doubles as secretary of the Florida Department of Health.
If backed by the Ethics and Elections Committee, he would go to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.
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