February 13, 2026
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — One year ago today, RFK Jr. was confirmed as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), ushering in an era of unprecedented attacks on public health.
“One year ago, RFK Jr. lied under oath—then U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy bought his BS and sold out the American people,” said 314 Action President Shaughnessy Naughton. “Since his confirmation, RFK Jr. has unleashed widespread misinformation, hollowed out our nation’s public health agencies and put children in grave danger. The damage that has been done in just one year will take generations to recover from, which is why we have to fight back at every level.”
This is the damage RFK Jr. has done in one year:
Eliminated over 20,000 positions from Department of Health and Human Services and its agencies, dramatically shrinking the workforce at National Institute of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Promulgated anti-science propaganda with “The MAHA Report”, which cited nonexistent studies
Replaced all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) with politically aligned appointees, including noted anti-vaccine activists
Oversaw the worst measles outbreak in 25 years, recording the most cases since the disease was declared eliminated in the United States
Canceled $500 million in mRNA vaccine development research and fired CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez weeks after her confirmation
Declared Tylenol causes autism with zero evidence at a press conference with the White House
Promoted changes to dietary guidelines not supported by science, declared ‘war on saturated fats’ and screamed at Americans to ‘eat real food’
Hijacked the CDC website to claim that there may be a link between vaccines and autism
Scrapped universal guidance on hepatitis B vaccines for newborns, placing infants at increased risk of the deadly disease
Announced major changes to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule, reducing the number of recommended routine vaccines from 17 to 11.
Removed four out of nine members of the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines (ACCV)
Refused to clarify his financial ties to the anti-vaccine industry, despite senators’ direct questions
Since his nomination, 314 Action has been a leader in holding RFK Jr. accountable and continues the work through an ongoing accountability campaign. 314 Action led the calls for his resignation and investigation into his HHS and launched RFK Watch to expose him as the most dangerous HHS Secretary in history. 314 Action will continue to lead the fight against anti-science Republicans in 2026 by recruiting and electing doctors and scientists to office—and winning.
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314 Action is the driving force behind the growing number of doctors and scientists running to stand up to Trump and RFK Jr.’s anti-science agenda in the midterms. 314 Action is working with 150 candidates nationwide and is committed to raising $20 million to secure a path to victory.