Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, testified before the Senate Finance Committee, facing tough questioning on vaccines, abortion, and federal health programs. The hearing was marked by tense exchanges, protest disruptions, and scrutiny over his past statements.
Key Takeaways from the Hearing:
- Vaccine Views Under Fire:
- Kennedy denied being anti-vaccine, insisting he supports vaccine safety.
- Senators questioned his past statements linking vaccines to autism, which have been widely debunked.
- He defended his advocacy, claiming he is “pro-safety, not anti-vaccine.”
- Abortion Policy and Trump’s Influence:
- Kennedy repeatedly stated that “every abortion is a tragedy.”
- He avoided direct answers on abortion policy, saying he would follow Trump’s direction.
- When asked about the abortion pill mifepristone, he said he would review safety concerns but deferred policy decisions to Trump.
- Medicare and Medicaid Confusion:
- Kennedy struggled to clearly outline his stance on Medicaid reform.
- He appeared to mix up Medicare and Medicaid, incorrectly stating that Medicaid is fully federally funded.
- He claimed Medicaid enrollees faced high costs, though most do not pay premiums or deductibles.
- Hearing Disruptions and Political Backlash:
- Protesters interrupted the hearing, accusing Kennedy of spreading misinformation.
- Some Republicans supported his nomination, while Democrats strongly opposed him.
- His cousin, Caroline Kennedy, urged senators not to confirm him, calling him a “predator” in a letter.
Despite the controversy, Kennedy’s confirmation remains likely, as Republicans hold the majority and he can afford to lose up to three GOP votes. If confirmed, he would oversee a $1.7 trillion agency responsible for public health, vaccines, and government healthcare programs.
