Senator Tim Kaine

And so here we are in a war that has cost American lives, that is leading to chaos throughout the region.

that threatens to go bigger and bigger and bigger.

And I'm asking the Senate to do what the framers of the Constitution said we should do, debate and vote about matters of war.

This latest standoff seems to follow a familiar cycle.

A crisis captures national attention.

A number of Democrats and Republicans pledged to take action only for talks to fizzle and lawmakers to trade blame across the aisle.

That's what happened after a bipartisan effort to resurrect Lapp's health subsidies fell apart recently, says Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat.

Negotiations on immigration between Democrats and the White House are ongoing, but Congress is in recess until next week.

Sam Greenglass, NPR News, Washington.

Were you instructed by the secretary of HHS to not speak to senators?

And was that also in the August 25th meeting you described?

So confirmed CDC director, Senate confirmed.

We used to speak with the CDC director all the time during COVID and during other emergencies.

Instructed not to speak to senators.

Isn't it?

Is my memory right?

Doesn't Secretary Kennedy say he's about radical transparency?

Yeah.

Well, putting a gag order on a CDC director and directing her not to speak to those who

have confirmed her and to whom she is responsible for oversight is a very serious matter.