Updated September 4, 2025 at 4:51 PM EDT
In a time of significant upheaval within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, addressing both his ambitious health care agenda and rising concerns about leadership dynamics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The hearing came shortly after a controversial leadership shake-up, where newly appointed CDC Director Susan Monarez was dismissed after refusing to resign under Kennedy’s pressure. This action led to the resignation of three top CDC officials in protest, as reported here.
While the official agenda of the Senate hearing focused on President’s 2026 health care goals and Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, the session was dominated by inquiries into the CDC’s tumultuous leadership changes and Kennedy’s controversial vaccine policy reforms. Calls for Kennedy’s resignation have been mounting from medical groups and over a thousand HHS staff.
Kennedy’s Continued Vaccine Skepticism
Renowned for his anti-vaccine stance, Kennedy had to assure wary senators of his commitment to not obstruct vaccine uptake prior to his confirmation. As documented in his responses to the Senate Finance Committee, he promised, “If confirmed, I will do nothing as HHS secretary that makes it difficult or discourages people from taking vaccines.”
However, Kennedy’s actions have contradicted his assurances. He’s initiated sweeping changes to vaccine policies, affecting research, FDA approvals, and vaccine accessibility. His decision to dismiss and replace a key vaccine advisory panel with individuals known for anti-vaccine views is particularly controversial. This new panel is set to review recommendations for various vaccines, impacting public health and insurance coverage nationwide.
CDC Leadership Turnover Unconcerns Kennedy
In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, Kennedy defended his management of the CDC, arguing that the agency had lost its focus and public trust. “The path forward is clear: Restore the CDC’s focus on infectious disease, invest in innovation, and rebuild trust through integrity and transparency,” he stated.
During a Fox News interview, Kennedy expressed little surprise at the recent resignations of high-level CDC officials, emphasizing the need for agency reform. Furthermore, nearly 20,000 HHS employees have departed, driven by efforts to reduce federal workforce size and Kennedy’s agenda to streamline operations. HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon reiterated Kennedy’s vision for fundamental reforms in response to a resignation call from HHS staff.
Advocacy for Healthier Nutrition
Amidst the controversy, Kennedy has been championing state-led initiatives to remove harmful additives and limit ultra-processed foods. Last week, he joined Texas Governor Greg Abbott at a press conference supporting new legislation that restricts certain additives in school lunches and limits the purchase of sugary snacks with food benefits. Kennedy emphasized, “We have more chronic disease than we can treat and we know what it is and we know it is the food we are eating.”
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