Senator Bernie Sanders, the Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has called for a bipartisan congressional investigation into the recent dismissal of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Susan Monarez by the Trump administration.
Sanders criticized the decision to remove Monarez, stating it was “reckless” and “dangerous.” According to reports, Monarez was fired at the request of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., after she declined to support his anti-vaccine agenda. The senator also noted that four senior CDC leaders have resigned recently, with two citing political pressure to mislead the public as their reason for stepping down.
“We need leaders at the CDC and HHS who are committed to improving public health and have the courage to stand up for science, not officials who have a history of spreading bogus conspiracy theories and disinformation,” Sanders wrote.
Sanders expressed concern over what he described as growing politicization of vaccine policy in light of a rise in preventable diseases. He said Kennedy’s actions were undermining trust in science and putting lives at risk both domestically and internationally.
“In just six months, Secretary Kennedy has completely upended the process for reviewing and recommending vaccines for the public… He has unilaterally narrowed eligibility for COVID vaccines approved by the FDA, despite an ongoing surge in cases. He has spread misinformation about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines during the largest measles outbreak in over 30 years. He continues to spread misinformation about COVID vaccines. Now he is pushing out scientific leaders who refuse to act as a rubber stamp for his dangerous conspiracy theories and manipulate science,” Sanders continued.
The senator called on HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy to organize a public hearing where Secretary Kennedy, Dr. Monarez, and recently resigned CDC leaders would testify.
“The American people should hear directly from Secretary Kennedy and Dr. Monarez and every member of our committee should be able to ask questions and get honest answers from them,” Sanders concluded.
