All articles tagged with #kennedy
Dr. Nicole Saphier, a Trump administration nominee to be surgeon general, faced Senate confirmation questioning over vaccines and public-health policy, including support for a universal hepatitis B birth dose; she pledged to follow the law if confirmed and said she would divest from potential conflicts, but lawmakers pressed on vaccine guidance and governance, with no clear vote date announced yet.
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. allegedly asked the CDC’s new director to remove two Pennsylvania measles-related deaths from the agency’s online tally after questioning whether measles contributed to the fatalities; the director reportedly approved the change, fueling criticism of political interference in public health data. The CDC paused updating its measles page as the dispute with Pennsylvania officials and Governor Shapiro unfolded, with the agency signaling that it is still reviewing the cases and that information is not yet conclusive. The episode comes amid a broader rise in measles cases and debates over vaccines, with Pennsylvania reporting around 540 cases this year.
Sen. Bill Cassidy denounced President Trump’s suggestion to scrap the combined MMR vaccine in favor of six separate shots, saying it would confuse parents, increase doctor visits and push up costs, ultimately harming immunization efforts. Cassidy, who voted to confirm Kennedy as health secretary, also highlighted ongoing vaccine misinformation and changes to CDC messaging about autism, noting that Trump’s comments won’t address the underlying safety concerns—even as Cassidy faces a Trump-backed primary defeat.
Sen. John Kennedy warned during a Senate hearing that FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s aggressive reviews of broadcast networks and potential actions against Disney’s ABC licenses threaten First Amendment protections, a concern echoed by other Republicans; Carr says he’s upholding public-interest standards, not policing speech. The live updates also touch on related Capitol Hill news, including Erica Schwartz’s confirmation as CDC director and other ongoing political developments.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, who chairs the Senate Health Committee, voted to advance Erica Schwartz to lead the CDC and Sean Kaufman to head the ASPR, saying he has “received reassurances” from senior HHS officials and will use those commitments as leverage if they aren’t kept, even after grilling both nominees and voicing concerns about Kennedy’s vaccine stance and Kaufman’s past vaccine-safety remarks. Cassidy framed the confirmations as necessary pragmatic steps despite imperfect nominees, citing changes he’s already accepted as signs of good faith (including a CDC page modification on vaccines). The moves fit a broader, party-line push on health nominations and come as other health- and education-related confirmations advance in the Senate.
An FDA advisory panel voted to lift manufacturing restrictions on four peptides for human use despite limited safety and efficacy data, a move critics say was influenced by RFK Jr. and his allies; the FDA could still reject or adopt the panel's recommendation.
An FDA advisory panel appointed by Health Secretary RFK Jr. recommended allowing licensed compounding pharmacies to produce several peptides with prescriptions, signaling a shift away from the FDA’s caution over safety and efficacy. Supporters argue it would curb a thriving unregulated market and expand patient access via providers, while critics warn it could bypass formal FDA review and safety safeguards. The final decision remains with the FDA, though Kennedy has authority to overrule agency conclusions, potentially reshaping the peptide market and care options.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. signed terminations ending the COVID-19 EUA declarations for drugs/biological products and for medical devices, with the terminations taking effect after advance notice (12 months for drugs; 180 days for devices). With traditional FDA pathways now widely available, reliance on EUA products will wind down, and regulators will aid manufacturers in pursuing standard approvals; notices will be published in the Federal Register and sent to Congress.
In New York City's crowded Democratic primary for Congress in the 12th District, Kennedy heir Jack Schlossberg failed to secure the nomination amid a field that included candidates such as Micah Lasher and Alex Bores, highlighting a high-profile, expensive NYC race.
JFK’s grandson Jack Schlossberg failed to win the Democratic primary in Manhattan’s 12th District, finishing a distant third behind Micah Lasher (about 39%) and Alex Bores (35%), with Schlossberg under 11%. Lasher is expected to secure the nomination to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler in November. Despite endorsements from Pelosi and other high-profile figures, Schlossberg faced scrutiny over his résumé and campaign turnover, underscoring that name recognition alone isn’t enough in today’s politics.
Health Secretary RFK Jr. ordered a hantavirus-exposed cruise passenger to remain in quarantine for 42 days despite medical advice, highlighting tensions over home monitoring and enforcement to protect the community.
Kennedy’s efforts to reshape who gets COVID shots and how children are immunized have sparked court battles and policy pushback, with the administration signaling a softer anti-vaccine stance ahead of the midterms. A high-profile lawsuit over childhood vaccine guidance could force changes, while Trump has floated realigning recommendations with peer nations. Despite setbacks, public skepticism persists, exemptions are rising in some states, and trust in vaccines remains mixed as officials and advisers jockey over the future of U.S. immunization policy.
The Make America Healthy Again coalition, largely composed of women who followed Kennedy into the MAGA health push, says the Trump administration has fallen short on pesticide regulation, chemical rules, and other health-policy wins, leaving many in the group ready to rethink their midterm votes and weighing a path toward 2028—even as some advocates praise limited successes and the White House vows to keep advancing MAHA priorities.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said he will vote for the landmark Senate crypto bill in the Banking Committee this week, after negotiating changes (including fiduciary-responsibility language) and leaving room to consider amendments at the markup, signaling momentum for the legislation regardless of bipartisan backing.
Ars Technica, citing The New York Times, reports that the FDA blocked publication of studies on COVID-19 and Shingrix vaccines showing benefits; the CDC reportedly scrapped a separate vaccine study. HHS says withdrawals protected scientific integrity, but critics frame the moves as censorship connected to RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine agenda under his health department.