Murkowski and Collins have both indicated to reporters since the hearing that they are not yet "yes" votes. Both are members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.
With HELP split 12-11 between Republicans and Democrats, a single "no" vote by a Republican would end Means's nomination at the committee-level, assuming all Democrats vote against her.
Murkowski, a staunch supporter of vaccinations, sought reassurances from Means during the hearing when it came to her stance on hepatitis B vaccinations at birth, a practice she previously referred to as a "crime."
"You have expressed the skepticism about the hep B vaccine for newborns, and I need to try to understand your thinking on that, given the medical consensus that this vaccine prevents this serious liver disease and liver cancer," Murkowski said to Means.
Referring to her past remarks, Means said, "I think they're incompletely representing my views."
"This is an effective vaccine. I think it's a very important vaccine," she added.
Collins's time with Means scrutinized details about her personal life which she shared in her book "Good Energy." In her book, Means touched on a past experience with psychedelic psilocybin mushrooms, in which she wrote of hearing an "internal voice" whisper to her.
"Illicit drug use remains a huge problem in this country, and this didn't happen in your teen years. According to your book, in 2021 you began using illicit psychedelic mushrooms," noted Collins.
Means gave a "do as I say, not as I do" response to the senator.
"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," said Means, adding that her book would "under no circumstances" be a recommendation to Americans.
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