Rep. Haley Stevens has taken a direct step against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., moving to impeach him over what she describes as mounting "health care chaos." The Michigan Democrat announced Thursday that she is drafting articles of impeachment in response to controversial budget decisions and health policy changes under his leadership.
According to NewsNation, Stevens accused Kennedy of reckless cuts that are harming families while fueling rising costs in the health care system. In her announcement, she said the secretary’s policies are making Americans less safe and ignoring pressing health concerns across the country.
Kennedy, who assumed the role of health secretary under President Donald Trump, has drawn criticism from both parties during his tenure. Stevens’ call for impeachment follows weeks of growing political pressure over research cuts, vaccine policy changes, and controversial public health recommendations from the administration.
Stevens used strong language on social platform X, writing that Kennedy’s tenure is causing harm to everyday families. Her post described his agenda as reckless and costly, adding that “enough is enough” as she pledged to move ahead with drafting the impeachment articles.
Her concerns are not new. Earlier this month, she demanded Kennedy resign after federal funding was slashed for pediatric cancer research programs, as well as for vaccine-related studies.
In a Sept. 15 statement, Stevens accused Kennedy of undermining scientific progress and endangering public health. She sharply criticized the administration’s overall approach, saying it prioritizes political visibility over meaningful health solutions.
Stevens charged that Kennedy was making “Michiganders unhealthy and unsafe” through his actions at the department. She said his cuts to research and changes in health guidance erode trust in science and jeopardize families who rely on medical advancements.
Her statement emphasized the need for leadership that prioritizes science and public health. She declared that those who undermine medical progress cannot be trusted to lead the nation’s health policy.
She urged immediate accountability, saying calls for Kennedy’s resignation have not gone far enough. With impeachment proceedings, Stevens intends to escalate efforts to remove him from office altogether.
The impeachment push comes against a backdrop of polarizing federal health decisions that have caused alarm among medical professionals. One flashpoint has been recommendations to alter the childhood vaccination schedule, a move criticized by major health groups.
In addition, President Trump made headlines after telling pregnant women not to take Tylenol, despite widespread medical advice supporting its use for pain and fever. Public health experts largely rejected this recommendation, warning it could foster confusion and distrust.
Medical organizations have been vocal in opposing some of these policy shifts, arguing that they reverse decades of scientific progress. Critics also contend that the administration’s rhetoric jeopardizes public confidence in health authorities.
Though Stevens’ impeachment bid comes from the Democratic side, Republicans are not fully united in support of Kennedy either. Some GOP senators have voiced discomfort with the administration’s recent health agenda, distancing themselves from White House guidance.
One Republican lawmaker told The Hill that members of the party are “starting to break ranks” as the policy controversies escalate. That admission reflects a widening rift within the GOP over how to manage the administration’s health initiatives.
The growing dissent suggests Kennedy could face opposition not only from Democrats but also from elements within his own party’s governing coalition. This dynamic may complicate his efforts to maintain administrative support if the impeachment process advances.