Larson Calls on Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Resign

Washington, D.C. - Following a testy Senate Finance Committee hearing where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. doubled down on his anti-vaccine purge at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) is calling for his immediate resignation as Secretary of Health and Human Services. 

“Secretary Kennedy's performance in front of Congress today was beyond the pale,” said Larson. “Even Republican Senators could not believe their eyes as he doubled down on each and every lie he told, attacking Senators for simply asking questions. He gave no good reason for his purge at the CDC. He could not explain why he canceled federal funding for vaccine research. He had no evidence to justify his senseless vaccine restrictions, or his decision to shut down lifesaving cancer research. Vaccines save lives. Medical research saves lives. Those are the facts. Secretary Kennedy, resign and make way for new leadership before your baseless conspiracies kill our kids.” 

Since taking office, Secretary Kennedy dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that recommends vaccines, canceled $500 million in funding for vaccine research, and announced new restrictions on the COVID-19 vaccine. On his watch, Florida has moved to end all childhood vaccine requirements. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, he has overseen the cancellation or delay of nearly 2,500 grants supporting lifesaving medical research.