RFK Jr. Faces Senate Grilling Over CDC Crisis

RFK Jr. to Face Questions About Chaos at the CDC Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services Secretary, is set to testify before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, amidst growing calls for his resignation following a week of chaos at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to sources, Kennedy's testimony will focus on the president's 2026 health care agenda and his goal to "Make America Healthy Again." However, committee members are expected to grill him about the recent leadership shake-up at the CDC, which began when he pressured the new director, Susan Monarez, to resign. When she refused, the White House fired her, leading to the resignation of three top CDC officials in protest. "This is a clear example of the administration's disregard for science and expertise," said Dr. Peter Hotez, a prominent vaccine expert and critic of Kennedy's policies. "The chaos at the CDC is having far-reaching consequences for public health policy." Kennedy has been under fire from both sides of the aisle for his efforts to overhaul federal vaccine policy, which critics argue are driven by misinformation and ideology rather than scientific evidence. "The Secretary's actions have created a toxic environment at the CDC, where scientists are being bullied and intimidated into silence," said Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Health Committee. "We need to get to the bottom of what's happening here." The hearing comes as the CDC is facing unprecedented challenges in responding to emerging health threats, including a growing number of vaccine-preventable diseases. "Secretary Kennedy's policies are not only undermining public trust in vaccines but also putting lives at risk," said Dr. Anne Schuchat, former principal deputy director of the CDC. "We need leaders who prioritize science and evidence over ideology." The Senate Finance Committee hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. EST on Thursday. In related news, more than a thousand current and former HHS staff have signed a petition calling for Kennedy's resignation, citing his "unfitness" for the role. As the controversy surrounding Kennedy's leadership continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the future of public health policy hangs in the balance. *Reporting by Npr.*