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HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Defends CDC Shake-Up Before Senate Committee
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday to address the recent wave of dismissals at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Kennedy defended the firings, stating that “new blood” is needed at the agency.
Citing the U.S.’s high COVID-19 death toll relative to its population, Kennedy argued that a change in leadership was necessary. “America is home to 4.2% of the world’s population, yet we had nearly 20% COVID deaths,” he stated.
“We literally did worse than any country in the world.” He placed blame on CDC leaders “who oversaw that process, who put masks on our children, who closed our schools,” indicating that these individuals would be leaving the agency.
Kennedy emphasized the need for “bold, competent and creative new leadership” to chart a new course for the CDC.
The hearing, focused on President Trump’s healthcare agenda and vaccine guidance, saw Kennedy face tough questioning from Senate Democrats. They pressed him on his efforts to restrict children’s access to COVID-19 vaccines, the dismissal of health officials, and his connections to individuals who have questioned the safety of mRNA vaccines.
The Trump administration has significantly restructured the CDC and other federal health agencies in recent months. This includes the dismissal of all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in June and the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez in August. Kennedy maintains that these changes are essential to restoring public trust.
Monarez, who held the director position for less than a month, alleges she was forced to resign or face dismissal. In a published op-ed, she claimed she was instructed to “pre-approve the recommendations of a vaccine advisory panel” comprised of new members who had publicly expressed anti-vaccine sentiments.
During the pandemic, the CDC recommended COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as six months old and for pregnant women. The agency also advised mask-wearing for older children in schools and daycares. These measures, along with evolving mask guidance from then-NIH Director Anthony Fauci, generated considerable controversy.