Following Testimony Before Senate Finance Committee, Rep. Angie Craig Calls on HHS Secretary Kennedy to Resign, Cites Disregard for Science and Threats to Public Health

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, following his testimony before the Senate Finance Committee yesterday, U.S. Representative Angie Craig called on Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign. In a letter to Secretary Kennedy, Rep. Craig highlighted his blatant disregard for science-based policymaking, which has jeopardized public health.

“I write today to demand your resignation from the role of Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),” Rep. Craig wrote. “Your leadership at the agency, which has been largely devoid of science-based policymaking, has proven to be deeply deficient and is a threat to our nation’s public health. The American people deserve better.”

Rep. Craig also cited Secretary Kennedy’s repeated efforts to censor and dismiss officials who have stood up for science, including his decision to fire former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Susan Monarez last week.

“The events of recent days are far from the first time you have actively undermined proven public health initiatives,” Rep. Craig continued. “In June, you replaced all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) with new members who have demonstrated concerning views about vaccines that contradict peer-reviewed and science-based evidence.”

Finally, Rep. Craig condemned Secretary Kennedy’s response to the tragic Annunciation Catholic Church shooting that occurred in Minneapolis last week.

“Last week, after an unspeakable tragedy occurred in our state at Annunciation Catholic Church, you used your platform to peddle unsubstantiated claims that antidepressants and psychiatric drugs ‘might be contributing to violence,’” Rep. Craig said. “It was baseless, it was cruel, and it was beneath your station to spread that kind of disinformation. It is clear to me that HHS under your leadership is headed in the wrong direction. I thank every dedicated public servant at HHS who stands in defense against your attacks on Americans’ health.”

Earlier this year, Rep. Craig, who is the mother of a young adult son on the autism spectrum, called out Secretary Kennedy for spreading dangerous and offensive misinformation about people with autism.

You can read the full text of the letter here.

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