HHS Secretary RFK Jr. Endures Fiery Senate Hearing Over CDC Turmoil and Vaccine Stance

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced intense scrutiny and sharp criticism from both Democratic and Republican senators during a contentious Senate Finance Committee hearing on Thursday, September 4, 2025. The three-hour hearing focused heavily on Kennedy’s controversial leadership, particularly the recent ouster of top CDC officials and the administration’s evolving vaccine policies.

Democrats, including Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Maria Cantwell of Washington, called for Kennedy’s resignation, with Cantwell labeling him a “charlatan.” Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia accused Kennedy of having an agenda that “threatens the public health of the American people.” Kennedy, however, staunchly defended the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shake-up, asserting that changes were “absolutely necessary” due to the agency’s performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. He denied pressuring former CDC Director Susan Monarez to preapprove vaccine recommendations, going so far as to accuse her of lying about the circumstances of her firing.

Exchanges grew heated over vaccine access and efficacy. Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, pressed Kennedy on whether COVID-19 vaccines saved millions of lives, contrasting Kennedy’s past remarks with those of former President Trump. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts challenged Kennedy on vaccine recommendations, arguing that new guidelines effectively deny access to some. Kennedy maintained he would not recommend products without clinical data for specific indications and refuted claims of denying vaccines, stating that most Americans would still get them for free.

Concerns were also raised by Republicans. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina sought clarity on Kennedy’s stance on Operation Warp Speed and his approach to empowering scientists, while Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming expressed deep concern over Kennedy’s vaccine approach and the replacement of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) members. Kennedy countered that he aimed to restore public trust in the CDC through transparency and evidence-based information, claiming he had “depoliticized” the advisory panel.

Beyond vaccine policy, Senator Todd Young of Indiana questioned Kennedy on efforts to combat long COVID, and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada pressed him on his familiarity with Medicare drug costs, to which Kennedy struggled to provide direct answers. Ahead of the hearing, over 1,000 current and former HHS employees had called for Kennedy’s resignation or firing in an open letter, and nine former CDC directors penned an op-ed condemning his leadership. A CBS News poll also indicated public concern that Kennedy’s policies were making vaccines less available.

The hearing concluded after three hours, with Chairman Mike Crapo of Idaho praising the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, while Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin defended Kennedy’s actions. The testimony underscored the deep divisions and ongoing controversy surrounding the direction of the nation’s top health agencies under Kennedy’s leadership.

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