“We’re denying people vaccines,” Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy told Kennedy.
”We’re denying people vaccines,” Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy told Kennedy.
“We’re denying people vaccines,” Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy told Kennedy.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced a grilling before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
Over nearly three hours of questioning, he defended his controversial views on vaccines and the ouster of Susan Monarez as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Key Headlines
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Sep 04, 2025, 5:30 PM EDT
GOP senators sidestep when asked if they still have confidence in RFK Jr.
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Sep 04, 2025, 1:09 PM EDT
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Sep 04, 2025, 12:37 PM EDT
Sanders presses Kennedy on his accusations against major medical groups
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Sep 04, 2025, 12:25 PM EDT
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Sep 04, 2025, 12:21 PM EDT
Sanders suggests he’ll call on Susan Monarez to testify before HELP Committee
Here’s how the news developed:
Sep 04, 2025, 5:30 PM EDT
GOP senators sidestep when asked if they still have confidence in RFK Jr.
Two Republican senators — both doctors — sidestepped questions from ABC News about whether they still have confidence in RFK Jr. to continue leading HHS in the wake of the hearing.
When asked if RFK Jr. assuaged his concerns or if the HHS secretary should resign, Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana referred to the questions he asked at the hearing.
Cassidy pointedly questioned the secretary on his COVID-19 vaccine policies.
GOP Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the number two Republican in the Senate and a doctor as well, also avoided questions about confidence in RFK Jr.
“I have confidence in what the president of the United States is doing and I would not second guess it,” he told ABC News.
Sep 04, 2025, 1:27 PM EDT
Fact check: Marshall misses context on childhood immunizations
During the hearing, Sen. Roger Marshall, a Republican from Kansas, pointed to a sign that said “76 JABS” noting that is how many vaccines children in the U.S. receive by age 18.
Children and teens may receive multiple vaccines before adulthood; these are often broken up into multiple doses. These multiple doses do not overwhelm a baby’s immune system, the CDC says.
Vaccines are given early in life because that is the time when people are especially susceptible to diseases.
Some babies may also receive vaccines as a combined shot that reduces the number of needles they get at one time.
-ABC News’ Youri Benadjaoud and Dr. Jade Cobern
Sep 04, 2025, 1:09 PM EDT
Contentious hearing ends after nearly 3 hours
The hearing has ended after nearly three hours. At many times contentious, Kennedy was grilled on everything from vaccine availability to his staffing shakeups at the CDC. Several Republicans on the panel expressed concern on vaccines, while Democrats accused Kennedy of breaking pledges he made during his confirmation hearing back in January.
Sep 04, 2025, 12:50 PM EDT
RFK Jr. not currently testifying under oath
Kennedy is currently not testifying under oath after Sen. Crapo denied a request to do so.
At the beginning of the hearing, Sen. Wyden asked that Kennedy be formally sworn in as a witness.
“I will personally object and will reject your request,” Crapo said. “We will treat this witness as we treat all of the other administration witnesses who come before us.”
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