Senate Democrats Demand Health Secretary RFK Jr. Resign Ahead of Critical Testimony
WASHINGTON — Tensions are mounting on Capitol Hill as Senate Democrats on the Finance Committee are calling for the immediate resignation of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., just one day before he is scheduled to testify before the committee in a highly anticipated hearing.
At the center of the controversy is what Democrats describe as a pattern of mismanagement, controversial health policy decisions, and an erosion of public trust under Kennedy’s leadership — particularly surrounding vaccine policy and agency leadership turmoil.
Wyden: “Boundless Corruption” Under Kennedy
Leading the charge is Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee. In a forceful statement released Wednesday, Wyden accused Kennedy of presiding over a department in crisis.
“Robert Kennedy’s tenure as America’s chief health officer has been marked by higher costs, more chaos, and boundless corruption,” Wyden said. “His actions are endangering children, leaving parents confused and scared.”
Wyden added that Democrats had long warned against Kennedy’s appointment to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), pointing to his controversial views on vaccines and public health science. “It’s time for Republicans to step up and hold him accountable for his actions,” he said.
Thursday’s Hearing: A Test of Leadership
Kennedy is slated to appear before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday for what was initially scheduled to be a routine hearing on the Trump administration’s broader healthcare agenda. Now, the hearing is expected to become a political flashpoint, with lawmakers on both sides preparing pointed questions about Kennedy’s handling of internal agency matters and his approach to public health policy.
Republican members of the committee have remained largely silent in the lead-up to the hearing, though several aides have indicated that Kennedy should expect bipartisan scrutiny.
Committee staff confirmed that Kennedy will face questioning on recent events at HHS, including the abrupt firing of senior officials and controversial decisions regarding vaccine distribution policies.
Leadership Shakeups at the CDC
Among the most significant recent moves by Kennedy was his decision to fire Dr. Susan Monarez, the newly confirmed director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Her removal came less than a month after taking office and has sparked legal action, with Monarez now preparing to challenge the termination in court.
Her dismissal triggered a wave of resignations from senior CDC scientists and public health officials, several of whom cited a “hostile and unscientific environment” under Kennedy’s leadership. In particular, sources inside the agency pointed to ongoing disagreements over the administration’s stance on childhood vaccinations and pandemic preparedness.
Public health analysts say the leadership instability at the CDC is already affecting morale and could hinder the agency’s ability to respond to future health crises.
Covid Vaccine Policy Sparks Outcry
Kennedy has also drawn sharp criticism over the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent decision to limit access to the latest round of Covid-19 vaccines. While the FDA, under HHS oversight, authorized the updated shots for individuals aged 65 and older and those with high-risk medical conditions, the policy leaves many younger Americans without access — including children.
The restrictions have alarmed infectious disease experts, who warn that limiting availability could put younger populations at unnecessary risk. “We are not just talking about inconvenience — we’re talking about avoidable illness, hospitalizations, and in some cases, death,” said one former HHS official who resigned earlier this year.
Kennedy, a long-time skeptic of vaccine mandates, has defended the FDA’s guidelines as a “balanced and data-driven approach.” Still, critics argue that the administration’s messaging has been vague, fueling public confusion at a time when trust in public health institutions remains fragile.
Measles Outbreak Adds to Pressure
In recent days, Kennedy has also come under fire for the federal response to a measles outbreak that has affected multiple states. Though the secretary claimed that HHS had mounted an “effective, targeted response,” many in the public health community argue that his agency’s mixed messaging on vaccines has made containment efforts more difficult.
“The science is clear, the solutions are well-known, and yet the message coming from the top is muddled,” said a state health director who asked not to be named.
