WASHINGTON D.C, Sept 4, 2025 – Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endured a contentious Senate Finance Committee hearing on September 4, 2025, as lawmakers grilled him over his vaccine skepticism and the recent turmoil at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The hearing unfolded against a backdrop of significant leadership changes at the CDC, where Kennedy’s decision to fire Director Susan Monarez and the subsequent resignations of several top officials have raised alarms among public health experts.
Kennedy, known for his long-standing anti-vaccine stance, defended his actions by stressing the importance of scientific certainty, a position that has drawn criticism since his confirmation. His overhaul of federal health policies, including the withdrawal of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for certain groups and the replacement of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in June 2025, has further fueled the controversy.
The hearing highlighted the deep divisions within the public health community, with over 1,000 HHS staff members calling for Kennedy’s resignation, reflecting broader tensions over his approach to managing America’s health crisis.