Schumer demands RFK Jr. declare measles emergency, saying he 'walked' US into outbreak

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declare a nationwide emergency over spiking measles cases, accusing him of fueling the outbreak by dismantling public health and undermining trust in vaccines.

"Under your tutelage as Secretary, you have undermined vaccines, gutted public health funding, and dismantled core federal protections meant to keep Americans safe," Schumer wrote in a July 11 letter.

"You have walked our country into the nation’s largest measles outbreak in 33 years," he added.

More: President Trump’s favorite candymaker is not RFK-approved. Is a clash brewing?

Measles cases skyrocket, especially in unvaccinated

A quarter century after measles were eradicated in the U.S., cases have skyrocketed this year, reaching 1,288 confirmed cases across 39 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three people have died this year. Officials say almost nine in ten of the cases are spread across New Mexico and Texas, the site of a Mennonite community that became the initial hub of the outbreak earlier this year.

Most cases – 65% – are in people 19 years old and younger, and the vast majority – 92% – are unvaccinated people.

The outbreak has turned attention and heavy criticism from health experts towards Kennedy's vaccine skepticism and baseless claims that vaccines are dangerous and ineffective. Kennedy has said the measles vaccine weakens over time – a claim disputed by scientists – and that "we can't rely simply on the vaccine" to address the outbreak.

He has also downplayed the measles outbreak, saying more focus should be turned on chronic diseases like diabetes and autism instead.

In May, Kennedy directed the CDC to find new "scientific process" for treating measles and other diseases with drugs and vitamins. Although vaccines would still be recommended as the best way to prevent the disease, some "may choose not to vaccinate."

More: Measles was eradicated in the US 25 years ago. This week, cases reached a new high.

Kennedy fired all 17 members of a vaccine advisory last month, refilling it with some vaccine skeptics who have announced their first priority would be retooling vaccine recommendations for children.

Kennedy's drastic cuts to department programs and slashing of thousands of workers at the department have sparked alarm from public health experts and outrage from Democratic lawmakers. Kennedy said in April he would sack 10,000 Health and Human Services employees as part of the Trump administration's efforts to downsize the federal workforce.

Since then, the department has faced a myriad of legal challenges, most recently from top medical organizations over Kennedy dropping the COVID vaccine from the list of recommended shots for children and pregnant women.

HHS said the CDC still recommends the measles vaccine as the best way to protect against the disease.

"The decision to vaccinate is a personal one," an HHS spokesperson said in a statement. "People should consult with their healthcare provider to understand their options to get inoculated and should be informed about the potential risks and benefits associated with vaccines."

Schumer is the latest Democrat on Capitol Hill to upbraid Kennedy in recent days over the measles outbreak.

"We have a record-breaking number of measles cases in America," Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA, wrote on X, accusing Kennedy of filling the vaccine panel with "unvetted vaccine skeptics."

"Where is our public hearing on this crisis?"

The measles vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the disease when administered in the recommended two doses, according to the CDC.

Since the start of the COVID pandemic, when skepticism of vaccines surged, buoyed by online conspiracies and distrust of public health institutions, measles vaccinations have dropped across the nation.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Schumer demands RFK Jr. declare emergency over spiking measles cases