Start Here RFK Jr. Faces the Senate
8 snips
Sep 5, 2025 Jay O'Brien, ABC's Capitol Hill correspondent, gives an inside look at Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s fiery Senate hearing on vaccine policy, revealing the intense scrutiny from lawmakers. Elizabeth Schulze, back from maternity leave, shares insights on troubling employment numbers and the shifting job market landscape. The discussion also touches on the challenges facing the CDC and environmental efforts against pollution in London, showcasing how politics and public health intersect in today's society.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Shakeup Raises Trust Questions
- RFK Jr.'s overhaul at HHS and the CDC shocked lawmakers because it reversed prior assurances and removed key vaccine advisors.
- That rapid reshaping raises questions about expertise, trust, and the future of vaccine guidance.
Uncertainty On COVID Death Toll
- Senators pressed Kennedy on whether COVID killed a million Americans and he replied he did not know the exact figure.
- That uncertain stance amplified bipartisan concern about his familiarity with pandemic data.
Cassidy's Key Vote And Regret
- Senator Bill Cassidy was the pivotal Republican vote in Kennedy's confirmation after Kennedy assured he wouldn't block vaccine access.
- Cassidy now says some of Kennedy's actions contradict those assurances and has publicly questioned him.