Susan Monarez, who was briefly the head of the CDC under President Donald Trump before being ousted, is set to testify before the Senate next week. Her upcoming appearance will focus on the reasons behind her sudden firing and the ongoing issues at the CDC, especially under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has pushed anti-vaccine views.

Last Thursday, during a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Kennedy accused Monarez of lying and claimed he fired her after she said she was not trustworthy. Many senators found that hard to believe. Senator Thom Tillis jokingly pointed out that Kennedy should have asked Monarez that question before confirming her for the job.

Monarez gave a different story in an op-ed published the same day. She explained she was fired because she refused to follow Kennedy’s orders to dismiss senior CDC staff and to approve vaccine recommendations from an advisory panel Kennedy had packed with anti-vaccine advocates. Independent reporting supports her account, indicating her refusal was the key reason for her removal.

Next week, Monarez will appear before the Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions) committee, chaired by Senator Bill Cassidy. The hearing will also include Debra Houry, a former CDC chief medical officer who resigned along with two other top CDC officials after Monarez’s firing. Cassidy emphasized the importance of transparency, saying Americans need to know what’s happening at the CDC to ensure their children’s health is protected.

Cassidy is a supporter of vaccines but voted for Kennedy’s confirmation despite concerns about his anti-vaccine stance. He was reassured at the time that Kennedy wouldn’t weaken CDC vaccine recommendations or take vaccines away from Americans. However, Kennedy’s actions so far have raised fears among health experts. Kennedy has already removed many experienced members from the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel and replaced them with members who question vaccine safety and efficacy.

The upcoming hearing is especially significant because it comes just before Kennedy’s new CDC advisory panel is scheduled to meet. In June, Kennedy fired all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), replacing them with seven hand-picked anti-vaccine supporters, including figures like Robert Malone and Retsef Levi. Both have publicly questioned COVID-19 vaccines, with Levi even sharing a video promoting unproven treatments. Kennedy is reportedly vetting additional members, including others who oppose vaccines or promote fringe ideas.

There are serious concerns about the upcoming ACIP meeting scheduled for September 18 and 19. Senator Cassidy has called for it to be postponed, citing allegations about the process, membership, and the scientific integrity of the meeting. He argues that proceeding without proper oversight could lead to recommendations that lack legitimacy and threaten public health.

After the hearing, senators plan to invite current health officials to respond to these issues. Monarez’s testimony is expected to shed light on the leadership turmoil at the CDC and the impact of Kennedy’s actions on vaccine policies and public trust. The next steps could significantly influence the future of the CDC’s vaccination efforts and the agency’s role in safeguarding public health.

Inspired by

• https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/09/ousted-cdc-director-to-testify-before-senate-after-rfk-jr-called-her-a-liar/

Sources

• conde.digital
• cnevids.com
• wsj.com
• senate.gov
• apnews.com