RFK Jr. Faces Senate Scrutiny in First HHS Confirmation Hearing

In a contentious first day of confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), faced intense questioning from Senate lawmakers over his past statements on vaccines, abortion, and public health policies.

Kennedy, a longtime environmental attorney and controversial figure due to his skepticism of vaccines, repeatedly sought to assure lawmakers that he would not allow his personal beliefs to interfere with his role at HHS. However, Democratic senators remained unconvinced, pressing him on his past rhetoric and policy shifts.

Kennedy will return for a second hearing Thursday, but here are the key takeaways from day one:


Kennedy Softens Stance on Vaccines Amid Skepticism

Despite years of spreading vaccine misinformation, Kennedy asserted during the hearing that he supports vaccines, particularly for measles and polio.

“I support the measles vaccine. I support the polio vaccine,” Kennedy stated under questioning from Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), adding that he would not take actions at HHS that discourage vaccinations.

This marked a stark contrast to his previous comments questioning vaccine safety and necessity. In past interviews, Kennedy has falsely linked vaccines to a rise in chronic diseases and suggested they were overused in children.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) challenged Kennedy on his credibility, pointing to merchandise sold by the nonprofit he founded, Children’s Health Defense, which promotes anti-vaccine messages. Kennedy claimed he had resigned from the organization and had no control over its current operations.

Despite his assurances, Senate Democrats remained skeptical, pointing to Kennedy’s long history of vaccine misinformation and its potential impact if he were confirmed to lead HHS, the agency responsible for vaccine policy and public health programs.


Kennedy Aligns with Trump on Abortion Policy

Kennedy, whose stance on abortion has shifted throughout his political career, aligned himself closely with Trump’s position, stating that he believes states should control abortion laws.

“I agree with President Trump that every abortion is a tragedy,” Kennedy said, vowing to implement Trump’s policies, including possible restrictions on abortion access.

This stance marks a dramatic reversal from Kennedy’s earlier pro-choice statements. As recently as March 2024, he told Reuters he supported abortion rights “throughout pregnancy.” His new position, which includes support for “conscience exemptions” allowing health care providers to refuse abortion services, has drawn backlash from both sides of the aisle.

Democrats, including Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), accused Kennedy of abandoning his long-held values for political gain. “When did you decide to sell out the values you’ve had your whole life in order to be given power by President Trump?” Hassan asked.

Kennedy also promised to investigate the abortion pill mifepristone, saying he would direct the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to review its safety and potentially roll back telemedicine access to the drug—a move that could significantly impact abortion access nationwide.


Past Controversial Statements Haunt Kennedy

Throughout the hearing, Kennedy was repeatedly confronted with his own past remarks, particularly on transgender issues and environmental toxins.

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) questioned Kennedy about his claim that pesticide exposure could cause gender dysphoria in children. Kennedy denied making the statement, despite having promoted similar theories on his podcast in 2022.

“I never said that,” Kennedy insisted, contradicting his previous public statements suggesting that endocrine-disrupting chemicals could be influencing gender identity and sexual orientation.

The exchange underscored concerns among lawmakers about Kennedy’s credibility and potential impact on health policy.


Kennedy Stumbles on Medicaid and Public Health Policies

Kennedy appeared unfamiliar with key aspects of HHS programs, particularly Medicaid, which provides health insurance for low-income and disabled Americans.

“Most people who are on Medicaid are not happy. The premiums are too high. The deductibles are too high,” Kennedy claimed.

However, Medicaid generally does not require premiums or deductibles, except in limited cases. The statement raised concerns about Kennedy’s understanding of the agency he has been nominated to lead.

Additionally, Kennedy inaccurately claimed that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) does little research on chronic diseases, despite the agency dedicating billions of dollars annually to studying conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.


What’s Next?

Kennedy will return to the Senate on Thursday for further questioning. His confirmation remains uncertain, as several Republicans have also expressed skepticism about his shifting positions and controversial past statements.

With control over a $1.7 trillion agency that manages health care for millions of Americans, Kennedy’s potential confirmation carries significant implications for federal health policy under Trump.

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