Sheryl Gay Stolberg

Vaccine safety experts say more research into the side effects would be welcome yet question whether the health secretary’s effort will be grounded in science.

Senator Patty Murray, a former chair of the Senate health committee, is forming a group of experts to examine how to insulate the C.D.C. from political interference.

The health secretary, Vice President JD Vance and other top officials addressed a conference sponsored by corporations, including A.I. companies and others with business before the government.

Democrats and Republicans in Congress opposed the creation of a commission with the power to veto federal research awards.

A new disclosure also shows $210,000 in consulting fees paid to Cheryl Hines, the health secretary’s wife, by one of several MAHA-affiliated groups capitalizing from his agenda.

Federal officials are drafting an executive order that would place grants under review by an outside panel, the latest effort to redirect billions of dollars in research spending.

Dr. Anthony Fauci had refused to answer questions at a hearing last week, invoking the Fifth Amendment. Republicans argued he wasn’t entitled to that protection because he had a presidential pardon.

The development comes as a Senate committee prepares to vote Thursday on whether to hold Dr. Anthony S. Fauci in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions at a hearing.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his son, and Senator Rand Paul have all written books criticizing Dr. Anthony S. Fauci. All were published by a company led by a close Kennedy adviser.

In a three-hour Senate hearing this week, Dr. Fauci invoked his constitutional right to stay silent, leaving people confused about many of the issues raised.

Senator Rand Paul said the committee he leads would vote next week on whether to hold Dr. Fauci in contempt of Congress.

Plus, why toxic wastewater is bubbling up out of the ground.

Private entries, released by a Republican senator, have reignited a furious debate over whether Covid-19 leaked from a lab.

Senator Bill Cassidy, who is believed to hold the deciding vote in the Senate health committee for Dr. Erica Schwartz’s confirmation, had declined for days to say whether he would back her.

Michael Kratsios, President Trump’s science adviser, proposed overhauling how the government funds research. Democrats said Mr. Trump’s actions had weakened science.