Story perspectives

Special Election Ahead; Trump Backs Graham, Andrews Demands HHS Impeachment

7/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Annie Andrews, nominee, will campaign on impeaching HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and expanding vaccine funding.
Senator Lindsey Graham died on July 11, prompting a special election with a Republican primary on Aug 11.
U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Senator Darline Graham for the primary, with polls showing Rep. Ralph Norman leading.
Andrews said health challenges like the measles outbreak remain unchanged and that she will fund the CDC and NIH.

History

Historical Context

After the 1979 renaming of HEW to HHS and the 1995 removal of the Social Security Administration, the 1995 federal budget authorized $1.52 trillion in spending, including health programs. Decades later, the FY2020 HHS budget cut CDC by $1.276 billion and NIH by $4.533 billion, prompting Annie Andrews’ effort to impeach Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and restore vaccine funding.

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Story summary

Annie Andrews, nominee, will campaign on impeaching HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and expanding vaccine funding.
Senator Lindsey Graham died on July 11, prompting a special election with a Republican primary on Aug 11.
U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Senator Darline Graham for the primary, with polls showing Rep. Ralph Norman leading.
Andrews said health challenges like the measles outbreak remain unchanged and that she will fund the CDC and NIH.

1 / 2