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3d ago

RFK Jr. Faces Bipartisan Senate Grilling Over CDC Turmoil, Vaccine Overhaul

The session follows his firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez, triggering senior resignations alongside calls for his removal.

FILE - This photo combination shows, from left, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Jan. 31, 2024, in Salem, Ore., Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, Jan. 27, 2025, in Seattle and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Aug. 21, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, Lindsey Wasson, Godofredo A. Vásquez)
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Overview

  • More than 1,000 current and former HHS employees published an open letter demanding Robert F. Kennedy Jr. resign, as HHS leaders defended his reforms as necessary to restore trust.
  • Over 20 medical and public health organizations urged him to step down, and nine former CDC directors warned in an op-ed that his actions are unprecedented and dangerous.
  • The White House confirmed last week that Susan Monarez was fired; on Thursday she wrote that she was told to preapprove recommendations from a newly refashioned vaccine panel that includes skeptics.
  • Following her ouster, at least four senior CDC officials resigned, Jim O’Neill was named acting director, and staff decried turmoil and safety worries after an August shooting at CDC headquarters.
  • Senators are pressing Kennedy on narrowed COVID shot guidance, the dismissal and replacement of the CDC vaccine advisory panel, canceled mRNA research funding, and CDC layoffs and proposed budget cuts.