Get a Clue: Investigation Into RFK’s Bird Flu Response 

The Trump Administration’s bird flu response is ruffling feathers with House Democrats. 

What’s crack-a-lackin’: The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is investigating Secretary of Health and Human Services RFK Jr. after his recent remarks about bird flu.

Talk to the flock: In a letter to Secretary Kennedy, the Committee expressed concern over his suggestion to allow avian influenza to “run through the flock,” so birds with immunity can be identified and preserved.

Chicken scratch: Democrats demanded documentation of the communication between HHS agencies (plus the USDA), as well as the names and resumes of each non-governmental expert consulted in recommending an immunity-based approach.

*Cue skeptical bird calls*: RFK Jr. is an infamous vaccine skeptic, and avian influenza is no exception to his bird judgment calls.

During his celebrity appearance at a Florida Steak ‘n Shake, Kennedy stated that his agencies (CDC, FDA, NIH) consider vaccinating birds “dangerous.” 

He also suggested testing therapeutic drugs on infected flocks instead of culling, hoping that birds with “a genetic inclination for immunity” can be identified.

All hands OFF deck: FDA layoffs could thwart HHS bird flu crisis management. The latest stroke of DOGE’s (giant, striking, ruthless) red pen, has cut staffing for a ready-to-launch FDA program dedicated to investigating bird flu. 

Soundbite: “Combating, containing, and eliminating avian flu will take a concerted and coordinated effort across all relevant federal agencies to prevent this situation from causing even more health and economic hardship than it has already.” — House Democrats