On September 4, 2025, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before the Senate Finance Committee amid intense scrutiny over his vaccine policy and recent upheaval within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The hearing, chaired by Republican Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho, centered on Kennedy’s approach to vaccine regulation and the ongoing changes at the nation’s top public health agency.
The Senate Finance Committee hearing came after a week of rapid developments that rocked the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Most notably, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) significantly narrowed access to the COVID-19 vaccine, a decision that triggered public backlash and the abrupt departure of CDC Director Susan Monarez, along with four high-ranking CDC officials who resigned in protest.
Chairman Crapo opened the hearing by emphasizing the administration’s commitment to revamping America’s health system, calling Kennedy and President Trump’s efforts a “steadfast commitment to make America healthy again.” Crapo highlighted how the administration places patients at the center of healthcare, empowering them with information and tools to create a healthier future.
However, Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, the committee’s top Democrat, drew a far grimmer picture, describing the country as being “in the midst of a health care calamity.” Wyden expressed support for vaccines but challenged Kennedy on his policies and oversight, seeking assurance that the government would rely on “gold standard, evidence-based science” free from conflicts of interest.
In his testimony, Kennedy sought to affirm his support for longstanding immunization programs, stating, “I support the measles vaccine, I support the polio vaccine. I will do nothing as HHS secretary that makes it difficult or discourages people from taking either of those vaccines.” He promised to maintain commitment to these critical vaccines despite ongoing debates about vaccine policies for COVID-19 and other new vaccines.
The hearing also provided a platform for Kennedy to defend the recent vaccine access changes initiated by the FDA and to explain the rationale behind the agency’s decisions amid public concerns over vaccine safety and efficacy. The committee delved into how HHS plans to manage vaccines moving forward, especially in the face of resistance from some public health officials and segments of the population skeptical of the current vaccination strategies.
Tuesday’s proceedings were broadcast live and closely watched by health experts, political analysts, and the public alike, underscoring the significance of the current turmoil within America’s health institutions. The hearing encapsulates the political tensions surrounding health policy under the Trump administration and Kennedy’s role as HHS secretary, particularly in a period marked by rapid policy shifts and leadership instability at the CDC.
The Senate Finance Committee is expected to continue its oversight of HHS and vaccine policy as the health care agenda for 2026 moves forward, with further hearings anticipated to address these ongoing controversies. Kennedy faces the challenge of restoring confidence in vaccine programs while navigating the complex landscape of public health, politics, and science.