President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., faced intense questioning during his first confirmation hearing on Wednesday. The Senate Finance Committee grilled him on his past vaccine skepticism, views on abortion, and stance on public health policies. While the hearing was marked by heated exchanges and interruptions from protesters, Kennedy also received applause from supporters. Here are five key takeaways from the hearing.
Vaccine Stance Under Scrutiny
A major focus of the hearing was Robert F Kenedy Jr’s past remarks on vaccines. Senators pressed him on his leadership of the Children’s Health Defense, an organization known for promoting skepticism about childhood vaccinations.
Robert F Kenedy Jr insisted that he was not anti-vaccine but rather an advocate for rigorous testing and safety measures. He cited his support for the current childhood immunization schedule, distancing himself from past controversial statements. However, senators confronted him with previous remarks, including a 2023 podcast where he claimed, “There’s no vaccine that is safe and effective.” Kennedy argued that his words were taken out of context, blaming the podcast host for cutting him off before he could clarify his stance. Despite his defense, critics remained skeptical of his commitment to science-based public health policies.
Criticism of Processed Foods and Obesity Epidemic
Robert F Kenedy Jr used his opening statement to highlight the role of processed foods in America’s rising obesity and chronic disease crisis. He vowed to crack down on harmful chemical additives in food and address conflicts of interest between federal agencies and the food industry.
His comments drew attention when he promised to “reverse the chronic disease epidemic and put the nation back on the road to health.” When asked about restricting access to processed foods, Kennedy clarified that he had no intention of banning popular fast foods. “If you like a McDonald’s cheeseburger or a Diet Coke – which my boss loves – you should be able to get them,” he said, referencing Trump’s well-known fast-food preferences. His stance on nutrition-based disease prevention resonated with some senators but left others questioning how he would balance personal freedoms with public health policies.
Abortion Stance Raises Bipartisan Concerns
Robert F Kenedy Jr’s views on abortion became a contentious issue, drawing skepticism from both Republicans and Democrats. He previously supported abortion rights but now aligned with Trump’s position, stating that abortion laws should be left to individual states.
During the hearing, Kennedy declared, “Every abortion is a tragedy,” a statement that caught the attention of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Republican Senator James Lankford questioned whether Kennedy would reinstate conscience protections for doctors opposed to performing abortions. Kennedy agreed that forcing doctors to act against their beliefs “doesn’t make any sense.” However, Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan accused him of abandoning his previous pro-choice stance to secure the nomination, calling his shift in position a “sellout.” Kennedy’s remarks highlighted his willingness to align with Trump’s policies, but they did little to ease concerns from lawmakers with strong views on reproductive rights.
Robert F Kenedy Jr Clash with Bernie Sanders Over Healthcare
Senator Bernie Sanders, a longtime advocate of universal healthcare, pressed Robert F Kenedy Jr on whether he believes healthcare is a human right. Kennedy dodged a direct answer, instead posing a hypothetical about whether a long-time smoker with lung cancer should receive the same level of care as a non-smoker.
Sanders criticized Robert F Kenedy Jr’s response, arguing that the nominee was hesitant to endorse healthcare equity. The Vermont senator also took aim at the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting the disparity in drug prices between the U.S. and other nations. When asked whether he would commit to lowering prescription drug costs, Kennedy agreed, stating, “We should end that disparity.” Sanders then turned the conversation to Kennedy’s past involvement with anti-vaccine messaging, questioning him about onesies sold by his former organization, Children’s Health Defense, which carried anti-vaccine slogans. Kennedy distanced himself from the group, emphasizing that he no longer had any control over its activities.
Republican Support and Democratic Skepticism
As expected, the hearing revealed a sharp partisan divide. Democratic senators aggressively questioned Kennedy’s past remarks on vaccines and public health policies, accusing him of promoting misinformation. Senator Ron Wyden dismissed Kennedy’s responses as a “word salad” and labeled him “untrustworthy and unprepared.”
Meanwhile, some Republicans embraced Robert F Kenedy Jr’s views, particularly his criticisms of the food industry and his push to reduce chronic diseases in children. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who has faced his own criticism for spreading vaccine misinformation, called Kennedy “the answer to his prayers.” At the end of the session, Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo, a Republican, expressed confidence in Robert F Kenedy Jr’s nomination, stating, “I think you have come through well and deserve to be confirmed.”
Despite the divided reactions, Kennedy’s confirmation process is far from over. He faces another grilling before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on Thursday, where his views on public health policies and vaccine safety will likely face further scrutiny. The final decision on his nomination rests with the full Senate, where bipartisan tensions over his record could determine his fate.
