RFK Jr’s actions hindering US ability to respond to outbreaks, say ousted CDC officials

<p>Former officials testify before US Senate, saying the CDC under Kennedy is ‘supporting policies not based in science’</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/sep/17/donald-trump-charlie-kirk-free-speech-nyt-cdc-rfk-epstein-us-politics-live-news-updates">US politics live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>Top former officials at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) accused <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F Kennedy Jr</a> of hobbling the country’s ability to respond to outbreaks and disease threats.</p><p>The two officials testified at a hearing on Wednesday before the Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) committee. Susan Monarez, the CDC director chosen by Kennedy, was fired after less than a month. Debra Houry, chief medical officer at the CDC, resigned after serving under six CDC directors during both Republican and Democratic administrations.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/17/rfk-jr-senate-hearing-cdc-susan-monarez">Continue reading...</a>