Action News Now: California Senator Alex Padilla, 21 other U.S. Senators call on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign from office
By Will Anderson
California Senator Alex Padilla, joined by Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and 21 other senators in the United States Senate, have filed a Resolution of Disapproval against Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over attacks on vaccines and science-based public health recommendations at the CDC.
The resolution calls for Kennedy’s resignation or dismissal from his role as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The resolution criticizes Kennedy for violating multiple laws and public trust with his conspiracy-based agenda. It highlights his failure to protect public health and his actions in dismantling key HHS offices and committees.
“Since taking office, Secretary Kennedy has made us all less safe by firing the CDC’s director and vaccine advisory panel, pushing them out for refusing to rubber stamp his baseless, anti-scientific vaccine recommendations and conspiracy theories,” Padilla said.
“He’s cut half a billion dollars from lifesaving vaccine research and development and dismantled our nation’s frontline against diseases and viruses, all while blocking CDC experts from even briefing him about measles, COVID, and flu outbreaks,” continued Padilla. “It’s clear that RFK Jr. is far too reckless and inexperienced to lead our country’s public health defense, and I call on him to resign immediately so that we can restore trust in HHS.”
More than 20 states have filed lawsuits against Kennedy, and over 1,000 current and former HHS employees have demanded his resignation. The resolution has the backing of Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden of Oregon, and numerous other senators.
- Alex Padilla (D-Calif)
- Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.)
- Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)
- Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)
- Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)
- Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.)
- Chris Coons (D-Del.)
- Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.)
- Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)
- Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.)
- Tim Kaine (D-Va.)
- Andy Kim (D-N.J.)
- Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.)
- Patty Murray (D-Wash.)
- Jack Reed (D-R.I.)
- Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.)
- Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)
- Tina Smith (D-Minn.)
- Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.)
- Mark Warner (D-Va.)
- Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)
- Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.)
- Peter Welch (D-Vt.)
Organizations like Protect Our Care, Public Citizen, and the American Federation of Teachers have endorsed the resolution. Padilla has been vocal about Kennedy’s anti-science stance, previously opposing his nomination and raising concerns about the public health implications of his confirmation.
As co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, Padilla has also criticized Kennedy’s plans to dissolve the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration as part of an HHS restructuring.
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