Senators Confront Kennedy Over Vaccines and CDC Shake-Up
Heated Capitol Hill hearing sees bipartisan criticism as health secretary defends firings, restricts COVID shots, and clashes over vaccine safety and public trust.
Top moments from RFK Jr.'s heated testimony on vaccines and public health
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Overview
- Senators clashed with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a tense three-hour hearing, trading accusations over his vaccine policies, agency shake-ups, and combative style.
- Kennedy defended firing CDC director Susan Monarez, accused her of dishonesty, and criticized agency scientists; Monarez rejected his claims and vowed to testify under oath.
- Lawmakers pressed Kennedy on restricting COVID-19 shots to seniors and high-risk groups, raising concerns about limiting access despite his promise not to block vaccines.
- Kennedy disputed official COVID-19 death counts and vaccine effectiveness, drawing bipartisan criticism for appearing evasive and uninformed about basic statistics and public health outcomes.
- Both parties challenged Kennedy’s vaccine stance, with Republicans also voicing alarm that his actions at CDC could jeopardize vaccine research, access, and public trust.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources collectively frame the story by portraying RFK Jr.'s actions as a concerning politicization of public health and a threat to scientific integrity. They emphasize warnings from former CDC director Susan Monarez and other officials, using evaluative language and structural choices to highlight the perceived undermining of scientific processes and the potential negative impact on public trust.
"A contentious three-hour hearing between U.S. senators and Robert Kennedy Jr. devolved into multiple screaming matches on Thursday as the nation’s health secretary fended off accusations about sweeping changes he’s made to vaccines, health care policy and leadership."
Associated Press"Kennedy's seven-and-a-half month tenure as Health Secretary is roiling the fields of science and health."
NPR"Kennedy's hearing comes a week after he fired 600 CDC employees in addition to Ms Monarez."
BBC News"The departures have sparked turmoil that has grabbed the nation's attention, a clamor even some of the Trump administration's Republican allies in Congress find hard to ignore."
USA TODAY"Kennedy removed every member of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, a government panel that makes vaccine recommendations."
CBS News"The hearing has ended after nearly three hours."
ABC News"Kennedy deflected and denied any harmful impacts from the CDC’s implosion, while repeatedly spouting misinformation about vaccines and other health issues."
Gizmodo"Monarez warned that Kennedy's move to replace the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices risked ignoring science in favor of ideology."
NBC News"The firing of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez and abrupt departures of other CDC leaders have left the nation's premier public health agency in turmoil."
USA TODAY"Kennedy's base, mostly made up of independents, was crucial to Trump's victory."
USA TODAY"Kennedy is likely to face questioning around his vaccine policy."
ABC News"Kennedy has broken many of the specific promises he made to Cassidy."
NPR"Despite his concerns, Cassidy said, “the secretary should have the opportunity to speak.”"
Roll Call"HHS policies are placing the health of all Americans at risk, regardless of their politics."
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FAQ
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is testifying to address controversy surrounding his leadership and policies at the CDC, including canceling nearly $500 million in mRNA vaccine research and replacing the CDC's vaccine advisory panel with individuals expressing anti-vaccine views.
Following Kennedy's decisions, there has been significant turmoil at the CDC, including resignations of top officials, a walkout by employees, and public criticism regarding transparency and science-based decision-making.
Kennedy canceled nearly $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine research and also altered research priorities by ending studies on mRNA vaccines and vaccine hesitancy at the National Institutes of Health.
Over 1,000 current and former Health and Human Services workers have demanded Kennedy's resignation due to his controversial health policies and vaccine skepticism, and some are urging the president to appoint a new health secretary if he does not resign.
Public health officials, pharmacist groups, and a CBS News poll indicate concerns that Kennedy’s policies make vaccines less available, causing confusion about eligibility, availability, and insurance coverage for vaccines like the COVID-19 shot.
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