Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Faces Fiery Senate Hearing Over Vaccine Policies and CDC Shake-Up
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended sweeping vaccine and health policy changes in a tense Senate hearing as lawmakers pressed him over CDC firings, COVID-19 shots, and growing public mistrust.
Introduction
WASHINGTON — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced sharp bipartisan questioning on Thursday during a heated Senate Finance Committee hearing, defending his controversial overhaul of U.S. health agencies, including sweeping vaccine policy changes and the dramatic dismissal of top CDC officials.
Over three hours of testimony, Kennedy clashed with lawmakers who accused him of restricting vaccine access, undermining science, and fueling mistrust in public health institutions. While some Republicans cautiously praised his leadership, others joined Democrats in demanding answers about the impact of his policies on Americans’ health.
The CDC Shake-Up and Vaccine Advisory Panel
One of the central points of contention was Kennedy’s June decision to fire all members of the CDC’s independent vaccine advisory panel, which historically issued immunization recommendations for the nation.
In their place, Kennedy appointed new members, several of whom are widely viewed as vaccine critics. Public health experts questioned the appointees’ qualifications, warning that the move eroded confidence in evidence-based policymaking.
Former CDC chief Susan Monarez, fired last week, wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that she lost her job because she refused to “rubber-stamp” vaccine recommendations from Kennedy’s new panel.
During the hearing, Democratic Senator Ron Wyden pressed Kennedy on the claim. Kennedy denied wrongdoing, saying Monarez admitted she was not “trustworthy” when asked directly, which prompted him to demand her resignation.
Heated Exchanges on COVID-19 Vaccines
The sharpest clashes came over Kennedy’s COVID-19 vaccine policies.
- Senator Maggie Hassan accused him of deliberately restricting vaccine access, prompting Kennedy to snap back: “You’re just making stuff up.”
- Senator Mark Warner questioned why, after eight months in office, Kennedy could not cite data on how many lives vaccines had saved. Kennedy replied that “data chaos” under the Biden administration had obscured the numbers, though he later admitted vaccines saved “quite a few” lives.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician, accused Kennedy of denying shots to millions by narrowing eligibility for booster doses. Under Kennedy’s leadership, the FDA approved boosters only for adults over 65 and those with underlying conditions, a departure from earlier policies.
“Effectively, we are denying people vaccines,” Cassidy said.
“You’re wrong,” Kennedy retorted.
Firings, Protests, and Public Backlash
Kennedy’s testimony came a week after he dismissed 600 CDC employees alongside Monarez. The purge intensified fears among health experts of a political takeover of the agency.
The turmoil followed a violent incident weeks earlier, when a gunman — reportedly angered by vaccine policies — fired 500 rounds at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, killing a police officer. Investigators said the shooter blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for mental health struggles.
In the wake of the shooting and Kennedy’s agency shake-up, hundreds of HHS officials signed an open letter accusing him of fueling public mistrust with “misinformation and contradictory statements.”
They pointed to Kennedy’s history of making false claims about vaccine safety, including remarks about measles immunization, despite his acknowledgment that the vaccine remains the best defense against outbreaks.
This year, the U.S. is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in decades, a crisis public health experts say is worsened by declining vaccination rates.
Republicans’ Mixed Reactions
While Democrats led the fiercest criticism, Republicans also voiced concerns.
- Senator Thom Tillis said Kennedy’s actions did not match his promises of transparency and handed him a written list of questions to answer later.
- Some GOP lawmakers praised Kennedy’s emphasis on “restoring trust through transparency,” echoing his remarks on social media.
Still, others worried that Kennedy’s rhetoric — including accusations that certain scientists lied — risked damaging the credibility of U.S. health agencies.
The Stakes for U.S. Public Health
Kennedy, who assumed office in February, framed his reforms as an attempt to “rebuild trust in government health agencies” after the pandemic.
Yet critics warn that his policies could instead:
- Restrict access to vaccines for vulnerable groups.
- Deepen public mistrust of science.
- Weaken institutional safeguards designed to ensure impartial health recommendations.
“Our country needs leadership that will promote open, honest dialogue, not reverse decades of lifesaving science,” wrote more than 20 medical associations in a joint statement earlier this week, urging Kennedy to resign.
Conclusion
Thursday’s Senate hearing underscored the high-stakes political and public health battle surrounding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership.
As measles outbreaks spread, COVID-19 lingers, and the credibility of U.S. health institutions hangs in the balance, Kennedy must navigate mounting pressure from lawmakers, health professionals, and the public.
The coming months will reveal whether his policies mark a bold reform — or a dangerous unraveling of America’s vaccine safety net.
Read More Suggestions
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External Linking (Credible Sources)
- CDC Official Website
- Wall Street Journal – Susan Monarez op-ed
- BBC News – U.S. Politics
- Reuters – U.S. Vaccine Policy Updates
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