RFK Jr. got rid of an 'alphabet soup' of health agencies. Now, Congress gets a say

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visits University of Utah to discuss Utah's new fluoride ban and food additives legislation, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Since taking the helm of the Department of Health and Human Services in February, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has moved quickly to shrink the agency, firing thousands of agency staffers. He’s canceled billions in grants to universities and public health departmentspurged some leadership and shaken up the norms of the scientific review process.

Both the firings and grant cancellations have been challenged in court. A federal judge has temporarily paused the staff cuts for several weeks.

Kennedy heads to Capitol Hill Wednesday to testify before lawmakers for the first time as HHS Secretary.