(NewsNation) — Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced tough bipartisan questioning Thursday before the Senate Finance Committee over turmoil at the nation’s leading public health agency and efforts to roll back COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.
Kennedy’s clashes with Democratic senators often turned heated, while some Republican senators also raised concerns about his policy changes.
Kennedy criticized Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations during the coronavirus pandemic, including lockdowns and masking mandates, and claimed that the agency “failed to do anything about the disease itself.”
“The people at CDC who oversaw that process, who put masks on our children, who closed our schools, are the people who will be leaving,” Kennedy said, late adding that they deserved to be fired for failing to curb chronic disease.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said Kennedy accused Kennedy of stacking a CDC vaccines advisory panel by replacing scientists with “skeptics and conspiracy theorists.”
Kennedy’s appearance comes just a week after the Food and Drug Administration restricted access to the COVID-19 vaccine — a decision that sparked the removal of newly appointed CDC Director Susan Monarez, the resignations of four senior officials and public backlash.
Senators pressed Kennedy on Monarez’s firing. He responded that she was dishonorable, lied in her Wall Street Journal op-ed explaining her departure, and said CDC leaders who resigned in protest deserved to be fired.
“Secretary Kennedy’s claims are false, and at times, patently ridiculous,” Monarez’s attorneys said in a statement after the hearing. “Dr. Monarez stands by what she said in her Wall Street Journal op-ed and continues to support the vision she outlined at her confirmation hearing that science will control her decisions.”
Kennedy is facing mounting scrutiny as multiple firings and resignations heighten alarm over a potential leadership crisis at the CDC.
More than 1,000 current and former HHS employees signed a letter this week demanding his resignation, accusing Kennedy of “compromising the health of the nation.”
The letter follows a previous call from HHS staff urging Kennedy to do more to protect public health workers after the Aug. 8 shooting at CDC headquarters in Atlanta.
The hearing made waves in Washington. Though some Republicans are critical of Kennedy’s tenure, he has not lost the faith of the Trump administration. After the hearing, Vice President JD Vance tweeted that Kennedy’s Democratic critics are “full of s—.”
Kennedy says he’s ‘pro-science,’ not anti-vaccine
Kennedy says his position on the COVID-19 vaccine doesn’t indicate he is anti-vaccine, but rather “pro-science.”
“If you want to turn everything into a sound-bite, you can’t have a grown-up conversation,” he said.
Sen. Tina Smith grills Kennedy on vaccine stance
Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., pressed Kennedy on his shifting vaccine stance, asking, “When were you lying, sir?” She contrasted his confirmation testimony, where he claimed not to oppose vaccines, with remarks on a podcast suggesting that a safe and effective vaccine did not exist.
“Both things are true,” Kennedy began, before Smith interrupted him.
“No, actually, I want you to listen to me,” she said, adding that he had a “stacked” vaccine advisory panel.
‘Everybody is corrupt but you?’: Sanders grills Kennedy
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., questioned Kennedy over health care aspects of the Trump administration’s “big, beautiful bill,” the pharmaceutical industry and more.
When asked about COVID-19 vaccines, Kennedy said he doesn’t know how many people the vaccine has saved, but that it has saved quite a few.
In a heated exchange over Kennedy’s skepticism toward vaccines, Sanders argued, “To suggest that every [health] institution… is corrupt because they disagree with you is an insult to the American people.”
Warren, RFK Jr. disagree on COVID booster availability
During an exchange with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Kennedy said anyone can get the COVID-19 booster shot at their local pharmacy. However, he added that it is not recommended for healthy people.
Kennedy also acknowledged access “depends on the state.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., challenged Kennedy, arguing that he is denying people the vaccines. Warren pointed out that Kennedy contradicted promises made during his confirmation hearing, during which he stated he would not deny vaccines to Americans.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has green-lit new shots from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax, but the approvals face new conditions. Until now, the United States, following guidance from independent experts who advise the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has recommended yearly COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone age 6 months and older.
The question of who can get a shot is complicated. The answer may depend on your age, laws and policies in the state where you live, insurance coverage and finding a health care professional who will administer the vaccine.
Kennedy tells Sen. Maggie Hassan she’s ‘making stuff up’
Kennedy accused Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., of “making stuff up” repeatedly after she accused him of restricting COVID-19 vaccines after applauding their initial development.
Kennedy decried Hassan’s questions as “crazy talk” as she asked about why he “acted behind closed doors to overrule scientists” on vaccine access.
Last month, regulators approved updated COVID-19 shots but limited their use for many Americans — and removed one of the two vaccines available for young children. The new restrictions are a break from the previous policy, which recommended an annual COVID-19 shot for all Americans aged 6 months and older.
‘I’ve grown deeply concerned’: Sen. John Barrasso
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., an orthopedic surgeon, said he has “grown deeply concerned” that trust in vaccines could be in jeopardy under Kennedy’s leadership.
“If we’re going to make America healthy again, we can’t allow public health to be undermined,” he told Kennedy. “I’m a doctor. Vaccines work.”
Kennedy responded, saying Americans have lost faith in the CDC and pledged to make health recommendations “clear, evidence-based and trustworthy.”
Kennedy: ‘I don’t know how many Americans died during COVID’
Kennedy told senators he doesn’t know how many Americans died during the coronavirus pandemic and accused the Biden administration of politicizing the data.
“I don’t think anybody knows that, because there was so much data chaos coming out of the CDC and there were so many perverse incentives,” he said.
Approximately 1.2 million Americans have died from the virus, according to both the CDC and the World Health Organization.
No change for MMR vaccine anticipated: Kennedy
Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., opened questioning by calling attention to Kennedy’s appointments to a CDC vaccine advisory panel, many of whom have criticized vaccines and misinformation.
“Should parents and schools in Colorado be prepared for more measles outbreaks as a result of that? How about more mumps outbreaks?” Bennet asked.
Kennedy said he doesn’t anticipate a change in the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, but added that he believes parents should be able to “make their own choices.”
The exchange soon escalated, with Kennedy and Bennet shouting questions at each other and accusing the other of failing to answer.
“I’m asking the questions,” Bennet said. “This is not a podcast. It is the American people’s health that is on the line here.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy highlights struggle to access Covid vaccines
During his questioning, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said he believes Kennedy’s cancellation of $500 million in contracts related to the MRNA vaccine platform “seems inconsistent.”
Cassidy also highlighted examples of Americans struggling to access COVID-19 vaccines.
“Effectively, we’re denying people vaccine,” Cassidy said as he ended his questioning.
“You’re wrong,” Kennedy replied.
Under Kennedy’s leadership, health officials changed who is eligible for updated vaccines. Medical and public health groups have condemned the decisions.
Cassidy’s vote was key to Kennedy’s confirmation.
Kennedy says CDC didn’t do their job
As he ended his opening statement, Kennedy addressed recent “shake-ups at the CDC” and personnel changes he called “absolutely necessary adjustments to restore the agency to its role as the world’s gold standard.”
He added that COVID-19-era recommendations and policies such as school closures were implemented “with no science and heightened economic inequality.”
Kennedy then heavily criticized CDC leaders, saying they have failed to keep Americans healthy.
“We are the sickest country in the world. That’s why we have to fire people at the CDC,” he said.
He also accused the recently ousted CDC director, Susan Monarez, of lying in her recent Wall Street Journal op-ed when she said she was pressured to preapprove the recommendations of his vaccine advisory panel.
Protester disrupts Kennedy’s testimony
Just as Kennedy began to discuss vaccine safety standards, an audience member shouted about prior authorizations at Kennedy, interrupting the opening statement.
“You’re killing millions of people,” the individual said, as Capitol Police escorted them out.
Sen. Mike Crapo warned other attendees against speaking out and disrupting order after the protester’s removal.
Kennedy delivers opening remarks
Kennedy opened his remarks by expressing condolences for the family of the law enforcement officer killed during a shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta.
In early August, a gunman opened fire outside the agency’s headquarters, leaving bullet marks in windows across the sprawling campus and killing David Rose before being found dead in a nearby building.
Kennedy said he visited Rose’s family and that he “remains in our prayers.”
RFK Jr. hearing begins
Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said each senator will get five minutes to question Kennedy. He said he expects a “spirited debate.”
That started right away. While Crapo touted the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, Democratic ranking member Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon argued Kennedy has prioritized “elevating junk science and fringe conspiracies.”
Wyden also asked his Republican Senate colleagues, “What line must Robert Kennedy cross before some of you will also join this alarm?”
Wyden wants Kennedy to step down, and if he doesn’t, Wyden called on President Donald Trump to “fire him before more people are hurt.”
Kennedy arrives for hearing on Capitol Hill
Kennedy was greeted by shouted reporter questions, as well as supporters in the hallway as he entered the Senate hearing room. He didn ot answer questions but gave a wave before going inside.
Sen. Bill Cassidy faces scrutiny
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., whose vote was key to Kennedy’s confirmation, has faced scrutiny as turmoil grows at the CDC. Cassidy, a physician, previously voiced concerns about Kennedy’s anti-vaccine views but ultimately supported him.
Now, with firings and resignations fueling fears of a leadership crisis, Cassidy is treading carefully. He has acknowledged “serious allegations” at the CDC and has called for more oversight — without blaming Kennedy. Returning from the August recess, he told reporters he is still weighing how to question the secretary at Thursday’s hearing: “I want to carefully frame the question.”
Democrats call for accountability
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said last week, “It is more imperative than ever that Kennedy answer to the public and their representatives about the chaos, confusion, and harm his actions are inflicting on American families.”
Kennedy fires CDC Director Susan Monarez
Kennedy recently fired Susan Monarez, a longtime government scientist he installed as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for less than a month, as he sought to reshape the nation’s vaccine policies to match his long-standing suspicions about the safety and effectiveness of long-established shots.
Kennedy’s record as health secretary
In May, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime figure in the anti-vaccine movement, announced COVID-19 vaccines would no longer be recommended for healthy children or pregnant women, a decision condemned by medical and public health groups.
The following month, he disbanded the government’s vaccine advisory panel, replacing it with handpicked members, including vaccine skeptics, while shutting out long-standing medical organizations.