Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden is calling for the removal of the Health and Human Services secretary, saying Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s tenure has been marked by chaos, corruption and higher health costs.

At a hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, Wyden said that every day Kennedy has been in office, “there’s been an action that endangers the health and wellness of families.”

On Wednesday, the governors of Oregon, Washington and California announced they would be forming a health alliance aimed at safeguarding access to vaccines. Hawaii’s governor recently announced the state would also be joining the group.

In their announcement, the West Coast leaders cited turmoil at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the reasons for the move. Several top career scientists have left the agency after the White House fired CDC Director Susan Monarez.

Oregon, Washington, California form health care alliance to protect vaccine access

Kennedy has said these changes are aimed at “restoring public trust.” In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, he blamed “bureaucratic inertia, politicized science and mission creep” at the agency.

At the hearing, the HHS director said “shakeups” at CDC were necessary, citing what he called the agency’s failures during the pandemic.

“We need bold, competent, creative new leadership at CDC. People able and willing to chart a new course,” Kennedy said. “We need new blood at CDC. That’s also why it’s imperative that we remove officials with conflicts of interest, catastrophically bad judgement and political agendas.”

But Wyden pushed back against Kennedy’s reasoning, saying the exodus at the CDC is a result of Kennedy’s “unceasing crusade against vaccines.”

“Instead of finding ways to help American families pay less for health care, Robert Kennedy is singularly focused on his anti-vaccine mission, fueled by a messiah complex, the consequences be damned,” he said.

RFK Jr. to face questions about chaos at the CDC

In an op-ed published ahead of the hearing, fired CDC Director Monarez said that Kennedy wanted her to pre-approve recommendations from the department’s vaccine panel, whose members were chosen by Kennedy and have criticized vaccines and spread misinformation.

Kennedy disputed Monarez’s account during the hearing, saying he asked her if she’s “a trustworthy person” and she allegedly responded “no.”

Kennedy himself has denied the claim that he is “anti-vaccine,” despite his history of being critical of vaccines and spreading incorrect information about their efficacy. This week, more than 1,000 current and former HHS staffers sent a letter urging President Donald Trump to fire Kennedy, citing in part his spread of “inaccurate health information.”

Thursday’s Senate committee hearing comes as confusion mounts about the availability of COVID-19 vaccines. On Aug. 27, the Food and Drug Administration approved the latest version of the vaccine, but with restrictions — making it available to people over 65, and those who are at high risk.

The CDC’s vaccine panel is set to meet this month to make recommendations, including on the COVID-19 vaccine.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/04/wyden-clashes-rfk-vaccines/