HHS Secretary RFK Jr. Faces Intense Senate Finance Committee Questioning

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to testify before the Senate Finance Committee amid significant controversy following his recent actions at the CDC, including the forced resignation of CDC Director Susan Monarez and the subsequent departure of several top officials. Kennedy has faced bipartisan criticism for breaking promises made during his confirmation, particularly regarding vaccine policy, such as replacing a key vaccine advisory panel and altering vaccine recommendations. Senate Republicans like Bill Cassidy, Thom Tillis, and Lisa Murkowski have expressed concerns about Kennedy’s disregard for previous commitments and called for increased oversight of the CDC. The hearing, while officially focused on the president's 2026 healthcare agenda, is expected to heavily address the turmoil at the CDC and Kennedy's broader health policy changes under the Make America Healthy Again initiative. Despite some Republican reservations, many remain cautious about openly opposing Kennedy due to President Trump's influence. The situation underscores a deepening crisis within the nation’s leading public health agency and highlights tensions between the administration's health leadership and lawmakers.