The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) refused to review Moderna's application for an mRNA flu vaccine, the company announced Tuesday, a move that comes amid growing scrutiny of vaccine-related policies. Meanwhile, SpaceX's upgraded Super Heavy booster completed cryogenic proof testing, clearing a hurdle for its next Starship flight. Elsewhere, a potential government shutdown looms, threatening airport delays, and Attorney General Pam Bondi declined to apologize to Jeffrey Epstein's victims during a House hearing.
Moderna revealed it was "blindsided" by the FDA's decision, according to a news release. The FDA's refusal is the latest development in a series of actions that have raised concerns about the agency's stance on vaccines, particularly mRNA vaccines. The agency is overseen by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been critical of vaccines. In his first year in office, Kennedy has already reduced childhood vaccine recommendations and canceled $500 million in research funding for mRNA vaccines against potential pandemic threats, according to Ars Technica.
SpaceX's Super Heavy booster, slated for the next Starship flight, successfully completed cryogenic proof testing, as announced in a social media post Tuesday. Ground teams at Starbase, Texas, transported the 237-foot-tall booster to Masseys Test Site last week. The testing, which included multi-day campaigns, evaluated the booster's redesigned propellant systems and structural strength, according to Ars Technica. This milestone is crucial, as a previous booster was destroyed during a similar test.
In Washington, D.C., Attorney General Pam Bondi faced questions during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday. Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal asked Bondi if she would apologize to Jeffrey Epstein's victims for the Department of Justice's handling of the case. Bondi declined to do so, according to Time. Jayapal noted that every survivor present at the hearing had indicated they had not yet met with the Department of Justice.
Also on Wednesday, lawmakers warned of potential consequences for air travel as Congress approached a funding deadline that could lead to a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. The acting head of the Transportation Security Administration, Ha Nguyen McNeill, reminded the House Appropriations subcommittee of the impact a shutdown would have. "A lack of funding and predictability of resourcing will pose significant challenges to our ability to deliver transportation security with the level of excellence we expect and Americans deserve," said McNeill, according to Time.
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