In a high-stakes Senate Finance Committee hearing on September 4, 2025, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced intense scrutiny over his handling of vaccine policy and recent leadership changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The hearing, which lasted about three hours, was marked by spirited exchanges between Kennedy and senators from both parties, reflecting deep divisions over public health decisions amid ongoing concerns about vaccine availability and credibility.
Below are four major moments that defined this contentious hearing:
1. Defense of CDC Leadership Shake-Ups
Kennedy staunchly defended the recent ousting of CDC Director Susan Monarez, who was removed after serving only a month. Monarez had reportedly resisted firing top officials and endorsing Kennedy’s vaccine policy changes, a conflict Kennedy described during the hearing and which Monarez reiterated in an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal. He dismissed her claims as dishonesty and said, “We are the sickest country in the world, that’s why we have to fire people at CDC.” The removals also sparked a wave of resignations from other CDC officials, underscoring agency turmoil.
2. Fierce Exchanges with Senators
The hearing was notably combative, with Kennedy frequently talking over senators and accusing some of “making things up” or speaking “gibberish.” One heated exchange with Democratic Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado highlighted the tense atmosphere, where the two clashed over vaccine questions, with Bennet accusing Kennedy of evading queries and Kennedy calling out missed questions. Likewise, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy challenged Kennedy on vaccine contract cancellations and limited vaccine access, describing the impact as effectively “denying people the vaccine.” Kennedy maintained that his actions were depoliticizing agencies and that limiting vaccine recommendations was necessary.
3. Controversial Vaccine Policies and Advisory Panel Changes
Kennedy came under fire for his June decision to remove 17 members from the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, ACIP, which governs vaccine approvals and recommendations. He claimed this move was a way to remove political influence rather than introduce it. Kennedy also faced criticism for limiting access to the COVID-19 vaccine, which some senators said led to confusion and hindered public vaccine availability, particularly affecting booster shots at pharmacies.
4. Implications for CDC’s Future and Oversight
This hearing signaled growing tension between Kennedy’s approach to public health management and lawmakers’ concerns over transparency and scientific rigor. Some Republican senators expressed willingness to increase oversight of the CDC and vaccine policy decisions, suggesting potential policy shifts if Kennedy’s controversial strategies continue. The fallout from these shake-ups also raised concerns about the CDC’s stability during a critical time for public health.
The Senate Finance Committee’s grilling of HHS Secretary Kennedy underscores a fraught moment for the CDC and U.S. vaccine policy amid ongoing public health challenges. Kennedy’s combative defense and rejection of criticisms mark a departure from his previous congressional appearances, indicating a more defiant posture as he confronts bipartisan skepticism about his direction for the CDC and vaccine management.