Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is headed to Capitol Hill on Thursday to testify on President Trump’s health agenda, a week after chaos brewed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) following a personnel shakeup.
Kennedy shook up the agency last week after pushing out its director over disagreements about vaccine recommendations and public health policies. A number of other senior CDC officials departed in the wake.
The health chief has defended the move, stating it aligns with the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. Kennedy is set to face testy Democrats and even some Republicans, who have raised concerns over the overhaul.
The Senate will also host several confirmation hearings for the president’s nominees, most notably Stephen Miran, who Trump appointed to serve on the Federal Reserve Board.
Trump has increased pressure on the upper chamber to confirm hundreds of nominees as Democrats dig their heels in over the president’s policy agenda and Republicans consider a plan to expedite the process
Meanwhile, a looming government shutdown deadline and efforts to release files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case are top of mind for lawmakers in both chambers.
On Thursday, President Trump is also slated to hold a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He will then host a dinner with technology CEOs in the newly renovated White House Rose Garden. The guest list includes Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, Bill Gates and others.
For the latest in Washington, follow along below.
