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Add West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin to the growing list of lawmakers vowing to block President Barack Obama's nominee to head the Food and Drug Administration. In a statement Wednesday, Manchin cited Dr. Robert Califf's ties to the pharmaceutical industry and argued that it would make it difficult for him to deal with the prescription opioid crisis. Califf was a cardiologist and medical researcher at Duke University for more than 30 years. (1/27)

The Obama administration has “full confidence” in its nominee to run the Food and Drug Administration despite a Democratic senator’s plan to filibuster the nomination, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Wednesday. Mr. Earnest said the White House is confident Robert Califf has the ability “to make the kinds of decisions that are in the best interests of the health and safety of the American people.” (Burton, 1/27)