Robert Kennedy, Jr., current Health and Human Services Secretary, faced off with lawmakers in what would turn out to be a contentious hearing over the Centers for the Disease Control and vaccine policy.
On Thursday, Kennedy spent about three hours attempting to defend his actions and policy decisions, namely the ousting of former CDC director Susan Monarez and vaccine policy changes that limited access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Though it was not his first time testifying on Capitol Hill, this time was different, as he bumped heads with several lawmakers, including notable Republicans. At one point, Kennedy accused Democratic lawmakers of “making things up.”
Monarez
After Monarez was fired by the Trump administration, four more CDC officials resigned in protest. Although Monarez was only in the position for a month, after she refused to fire other top officials and pledge loyalty to Kennedy’s vaccination plans, she was pushed out.
Senate Finance Committee ranking member Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Or., asked Kennedy to recount that events surrounding Monarez’s firing.
“Did you, in fact, do what Director Monarez has said you did, which is tell her, ‘Just go along with a vaccine recommendations, even if you didn’t think such recommendations aligned with scientific evidence?” Wyden asked.
“No, I did not,” Kennedy replied.
“So, she’s lying today to the American people in The Wall Street Journal,” Wyden said.
“Yes, sir.”
Later, Kennedy told Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., that he told Monarez that she had to resign because when he asked her if she was trustworthy, she replied that she wasn’t.
Vaccines
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., questioned Kennedy’s support for Operation Warp Speed, the effort to quick launch mRNA COVID vaccines.
Although Kennedy lauded the operation, Cassidy noted that the recent policy changes enacted by Kennedy has undermined the vaccine program. In early August, Kennedy cancelled around $500 million in mRNA vaccine funding and had narrowed the scope of those who could receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
“I would say, effectively, we’re denying people vaccines,” Cassidy said.
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wy., also expressed concerns over the the vaccine policy changes.
“Over the last 50 years, vaccines are estimated to have saved 154 million lives worldwide,” he said. “I support vaccines. I am a doctor. Vaccines work.”
Combative Exchanges
Kennedy spent much of the hearing defending himself and, at times, became combative with lawmakers.
Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., repeatedly asked for Kennedy’s attention, as the HHS secretary’s gaze appeared to go in other directions. The two went on to get into a yelling match over vaccines, with Bennet telling Kennedy, “I’m asking the questions!” after Kennedy accused Bennet of being evasive.
Kennedy went on to tell Send Maggie Hassan, D-NH that she was “making stuff up to scare people” after she asked him why vaccine policy changes were made “behind closed doors.”
Kennedy also said Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-NM, was speaking “gibberish” and didn’t understand how the world works when Lujan asked if he would share the protocols used for an autism investigation.
At the end of the hearing, when Kennedy was asked if he had any closing statements, he responded, “I think I’ll have mercy on everyone here and let us adjourn.”
