Bulwark Takes RFK Jr. Lied to Congress. Does ANYONE Care?
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Jun 10, 2025 
Jonathan Cohn, author of The Breakdown, joins the conversation to dissect RFK Jr.'s alarming op-ed and his misleading statements to Congress. They analyze the potential fallout from disbanding crucial health advisory committees and how this could undermine public trust in vaccines. Cohn and host Sam Stein delve into the tangled web of vaccine misinformation and its political ramifications, particularly under Trump's influence. The duo challenges RFK Jr.'s contradictory stance on COVID vaccines, revealing the rapid shifts in public health policy amid a chaotic political landscape.
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CDC Vaccine Committee's Role
- The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is vital for vaccine recommendations and approval processes.
- It consists of vetted experts who serve voluntarily and influence public health policy at high levels.
RFK Jr.'s Vaccine Distrust Rhetoric
- RFK Jr. blames mistrust in vaccines on conflicts of interest and skewed science despite his own role in spreading misinformation.
- This rhetoric ignores his own contribution to vaccine divisiveness and public skepticism.
Vaccine Committee Conflict of Interest Reality
- Claims of major conflicts of interest on the vaccine advisory committee are exaggerated and unfounded.
- Members are vetted, must recuse themselves from conflicts, and the system closely polices impartiality.