Health Secretary RFK Jr. Faces Bipartisan Backlash Over Vaccine Research Defunding, Called ‘Charlatan’
Health Secretary RFK Jr. Faces Bipartisan Backlash Over Vaccine Research Defunding, Called ‘Charlatan’
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced intense questioning during a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing, where he was sharply criticized by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), who labeled him a “charlatan.” The contentious hearing focused on Kennedy’s decision to cancel hundreds of millions in research funding for future mRNA vaccines, a move Cantwell argued severely undermines U.S. pandemic preparedness.
Cantwell expressed grave concerns over the defunding, asserting that the research is critical for safeguarding the nation against future health crises. She accused Kennedy of “not following the science” and undermining the healthcare system. Kennedy, in turn, challenged Cantwell’s assertions, stating, “You’re so wrong on your facts.”
The Secretary’s actions have drawn scrutiny not only from Democrats but also from Republicans. Kennedy has faced widespread criticism from the medical science community since the start of the second Trump administration, particularly for firing the entire vaccine advisory panel at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Earlier this year, the newly appointed panel announced plans to review the safety of certain childhood vaccines, a move that has alarmed health professionals who worry it aims to discredit decades of established vaccine safety research.
During the three-hour hearing, Kennedy defended the changes at the CDC, calling them “necessary adjustments to restore the agency to its role as the world’s gold standard public health agency.” However, Cantwell highlighted a 400% increase in measles cases this year, warning that Kennedy’s policies are actively eroding public health infrastructure and vaccine confidence, potentially leaving the U.S. vulnerable to the next global pandemic.
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