A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr. does not have the confidence of the Senate or of the American people to faithfully carry out the duties of his office and should be removed from his position.
S. Res. 374 is a sense-of-the-Senate resolution stating that Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has lost the confidence of the Senate and the American people and should be removed from office. The resolution is largely a detailed statement of criticism, alleging that the Secretary has acted contrary to law, scientific evidence, and the public interest in carrying out HHS responsibilities.
The resolution focuses heavily on public health policy, especially vaccines, biomedical research, and the administration of HHS programs. It alleges that the Secretary has promoted anti-vaccine views, interfered with or dismantled scientific advisory bodies and research programs, overseen mass firings and reorganizations across HHS, and taken actions that have harmed state public health systems, research institutions, older adults, people with disabilities, children, and other populations served by the department. It also cites litigation, agency actions, and reported statements as evidence that his conduct has undermined trust in federal health institutions and violated statutory and constitutional requirements.
Because this is a sense-of-the-Senate resolution, it does not itself change federal law or amend any statute. Its practical effect would be political: it would formally express the Senate’s view that the Secretary should be removed and would add to the public record of congressional opposition to his leadership. The resolution references numerous statutes and programs, including the Public Health Service Act, the Older Americans Act, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Affordable Care Act provisions governing Offices of Minority Health, and the Administrative Procedure Act, but it does not directly alter those laws.
The sentiment in the text is overwhelmingly negative toward Secretary Kennedy. The resolution is framed as a rebuke from a large group of Democratic senators, and it portrays his tenure as harmful, chaotic, anti-science, and unlawful. No supportive committee discussion or recorded votes are provided in the available context, and the bill was referred to the Senate Finance Committee without further action shown here.
The main points of contention are the Secretary’s vaccine policies, his treatment of scientific experts and advisory committees, and the legality of his reorganization and staffing actions at HHS. Supporters of the resolution argue that he has undermined vaccine confidence, interfered with research, and violated statutory mandates and separation-of-powers principles. The resolution also highlights concerns from states, researchers, public health professionals, and disability and aging advocates about cuts to funding, staffing, and services. The underlying dispute is whether his actions reflect legitimate policy reform or unlawful politicization of federal health agencies.