URGENT: RFK Jr. Confronts Senate Over CDC Crisis, Harvard Funding Freeze Ruled Unlawful

BREAKING NEWS Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Confronts Senate Over CDC Crisis, Harvard Funding Freeze Ruled Unlawful Washington D.C., September 4, 2025 - Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services Secretary, is testifying before the Senate this morning amidst a growing crisis at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The hearing comes after Kennedy pressured CDC Director Susan Monarez to resign, which she refused, leading to her firing by the White House. IMMEDIATE IMPACT Three top CDC officials have resigned in protest of Monarez's dismissal. The move has sparked concerns about the stability and effectiveness of the agency. BACKGROUND CONTEXT The crisis at the CDC began last week when Kennedy pressured Monarez to step down, citing disagreements over public health policies. When she refused, the White House fired her, leading to a mass resignation of top officials in protest. CURRENT STATUS AND NEXT DEVELOPMENTS Kennedy is expected to testify before the Senate this morning, where he will face questioning about his role in the crisis and the future direction of the CDC. The hearing is expected to be contentious, with lawmakers seeking answers on how to restore stability to the agency. DEVELOPING STORY This is a developing story, and NPR will provide updates as more information becomes available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Npr.*