Senator Bernie Sanders is ready to take the lead on the Senate health committee, and he has already made it clear that he is willing to consider the impeachment of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This potential move comes after a successful midterm election cycle for Democrats, who gained seven seats in the Senate. Sanders discussed his plans during an appearance on November 8, 2024, on the program State of the Union with host Dana Bash, as reported by USA Today.
The conversation turned to the status of Kennedy when Bash brought up comments made by South Carolina Senator-elect Annie Andrews. Andrews, who will be the first pediatrician to serve in the Senate, has been a vocal critic of Kennedy and the way the administration of President Donald Trump handles health care. During her campaign, she frequently argued that Kennedy should be removed from his position as the leader of the nation’s health department. When Bash asked if he agreed with her perspective, Sanders was direct in his response.
“I am absolutely open to that,” Sanders said of Andrews’ view. “The bottom line is we need a secretary of HHS who is concerned about the health and well-being of our kids and all Americans, not involved in crazy conspiracy theories.”
Sanders is receptive to ideas from any of his colleagues, including Andrews
Sanders also outlined how he intends to manage the relationship between the committee and the secretary once he takes the chair next year. He noted that he plans to bring Kennedy before the committee to face scrutiny. Sanders explained, “We’re going to bring him in front of the committee. That’s for sure. And ask him some tough questions that have not been asked of him previously.”
Kennedy has faced consistent pushback from both sides of the aisle for his past statements and skepticism regarding vaccines. During his time as health secretary, as well as during his 2020 campaign for president, he has focused heavily on the Make America Healthy Again movement. This initiative aims to produce significant changes across the American health ecosystem, with a particular focus on policy shifts related to medicine and nutrition.
The department has pushed back against the talk of impeachment. Grace Jamison, a spokesperson for the Health and Human Services department, issued a statement defending the work of the secretary. “Secretary Kennedy has delivered the most sweeping public health reforms in modern history,” Jamison said.
She also claimed that the secretary remains focused on his goals despite the political pressure. “He will continue to put prevention at the center of health care to end the chronic disease epidemic and Make America Healthy Again,” Jamison said. She concluded by noting, “Threats of impeachment will not distract him from delivering for the American people.”
The upcoming shift in committee leadership seems to be setting the stage for a heated confrontation between the Senate and the department. Sanders appears to be preparing for a rigorous oversight process that will likely define his time as the chair of the committee.
Published: Nov 9, 2026 01:30 pm