Senate Seeks Testimony from RFK Jr. on HHS Restructuring

Senate leaders have requested Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to testify about his recent announcement of a significant restructuring of the department, which includes plans to reduce its workforce by about 25%, from 82,000 to 62,000 employees. This move, part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to downsize federal agencies, has raised concerns among lawmakers regarding its impact on public health services. Senator Patty Murray and others have criticized the mass firings as reckless and detrimental to Americans' health, urging Kennedy to provide transparency about his plans. Meanwhile, Kennedy's controversial views on vaccines have led to resignations among top health officials, exacerbating tensions within the department. As the Senate prepares for the hearing, the implications of this restructuring on public health remain a point of contention among legislators. Critics argue that the lack of consultation and detailed justification for these changes undermines the department's mission to protect public health.