Robert F Kennedy, Jr. HHS Secretary Nomination Status
Kennedy's HHS Secretary Nomination Faces Scrutiny Over Vaccine Views in Senate Hearings
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services faced intense questioning during two days of Senate confirmation hearings, with lawmakers focusing heavily on his controversial statements about vaccines and his plans for major health programs.
During contentious exchanges in both the Finance Committee and Health Committee hearings, Kennedy attempted to distance himself from his previous vaccine skepticism while facing sharp questioning from both Democrats and Republicans. When pressed about past statements claiming "no vaccine is safe and effective," Kennedy clarified that he meant "there are no vaccines that are safe and effective for every person" and insisted he was "pro-safety" rather than anti-vaccine.
A pivotal moment came when Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician, repeatedly pressed Kennedy to explicitly state that vaccines do not cause autism. Kennedy declined to make such a statement, saying instead he would do so "if the data is there," prompting visible concern from Cassidy who warned that undermining vaccine confidence could lead to deaths from preventable diseases.
The hearings also revealed gaps in Kennedy's understanding of key health programs. He incorrectly claimed that Medicaid is fully federally funded, when in fact it's jointly funded by states and the federal government. On policy matters, Kennedy aligned himself with President Trump's positions, particularly on abortion, stating he would implement whatever policies Trump chooses.
Democrats expressed strong opposition to the nomination, with Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire accusing Kennedy of "selling out" to gain power. A letter from Kennedy's cousin Caroline Kennedy was entered into the record, calling him a "predator" who "preys on the desperation of parents of sick children."
The nomination's fate remains uncertain, with key Republican votes like Senator Cassidy expressing serious reservations. If all Democrats oppose Kennedy, he can only afford to lose three Republican votes for confirmation. The hearings highlighted the complex political dynamics at play, as Republicans weigh Kennedy's alignment with Trump against concerns about his controversial public health positions.
Kennedy would oversee a $1.7 trillion agency responsible for Medicare, Medicaid, vaccine recommendations, and food and hospital safety inspections if confirmed. His nomination represents part of Trump's broader coalition-building effort, bringing in former critics who share his vision of disrupting the status quo in Washington.
Battle Lines Drawn: Support and Opposition to Kennedy's HHS Nomination
In a striking demonstration of the medical community's divide over Kennedy's nomination, thousands of healthcare professionals have lined up on both sides of the debate.## Supporting Forces
A newly released letter signed by over 5,200 healthcare providers, scientists, and academics backs Kennedy's nomination, arguing for his commitment to scientific inquiry and evidence-based decision making. The letter emphasizes that Kennedy's legal background is consistent with previous HHS Secretaries, noting that only five of 29 past secretaries had medical backgrounds.These supporters praise Kennedy's willingness to challenge prevailing views and argue that labeling different scientific conclusions as "misinformation" stifles necessary debate. They cite Nobel Laureate Ivar Giaever's statement that "Incontrovertible is not a scientific word" to support their position that scientific progress requires open discourse.
## Opposition
The nomination faces strong headwinds from traditional medical organizations and key political figures. Most notably, Caroline Kennedy, the nominee's cousin and daughter of President John F. Kennedy, submitted a scathing letter to senators urging them to block the confirmation. She argued that her father and uncles "would be disgusted" by Kennedy's positions.Some Republican senators have expressed reservations, particularly about Kennedy's vaccine statements. Former Vice President Mike Pence has called for the Senate to reject the nomination, primarily citing concerns about Kennedy's past support for abortion rights.
## Political Dynamics
The nomination represents a complex political calculation for Republican senators. While Kennedy has aligned himself with Trump's positions on key issues like abortion and state control of health policies, his controversial stances on vaccines and public health create potential political risks.Trump's support brings significant pressure on Republican senators to confirm his nominee, with reports suggesting a coordinated campaign to influence potential swing votes. Kennedy's "Make America Healthy Again" movement has mobilized supporters to contact senators who might oppose the nomination.
Key swing votes include Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitch McConnell, who have previously broken ranks on Trump nominees. With unified Democratic opposition likely, Kennedy can only afford to lose three Republican votes for his confirmation to succeed.
RFK HHS Secretary Academic Support Letter
The United States Senate:
The
cornerstone of scientific progress has always been the fearless pursuit
of truth through rigorous inquiry and open debate. Today, we write with
growing concern about a troubling trend in our scientific discourse:
the increasing tendency to dismiss legitimate scientific inquiry as
"misinformation" when it challenges prevailing views.
Defunding, censoring, or unpublishing studies because they contain different conclusions from others is antithetical to the scientific method. Being unable to question data or disagree with our colleagues defeats true scientific progress, works to further increase public groupthink, and inhibits scientific exploration. As Ivar Giaever, Nobel Laureate in Physics (1973), stated "Incontrovertible is not a scientific word. Nothing is incontrovertible in science."
It is contrary to our core beliefs as Nobel laureates, scientists, and doctors who know and understand that research should drive conversations and not be used to dismiss anyone. It is also equally contrary for scientific progress to label well-designed research findings and conclusions as pseudoscience or as misinformation when another colleague merely disapproves or disagrees with those findings. Discrepancies or disagreements should encourage more communication, refinement, research, and constructive discourse. Science advances not through consensus but through rigorous testing of competing hypotheses.
We want the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services to champion people with concerns about their health, chronic diseases, health policies, and environmental toxins, and who will not avoid discussing contentious issues. Mr. Kennedy has repeatedly demonstrated this courage while maintaining an unwavering commitment to evidence-based decision making.
The former letters by our colleagues do not reflect everyone’s views and unfairly antagonize Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Irrespective of whether we all agree with all of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s positions and beliefs, it is clear that he believes in the scientific method and the right to further investigation and constructive discourse.
We also want to clarify some facts in response to those letters:
1.
Mr. Kennedy's professional experience is both relevant and significant.
Since the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was
established in 1953, only five of the 29 secretaries had professional
backgrounds in medicine. The majority of secretaries shared expertise in
fields similar to Mr. Kennedy, such as law (approximately 10), politics
and legislative experience (approximately 7), and public administration
and policy (approximately 8).
2. Mr. Kennedy advocates for greater transparency in vaccine research, efficacy, and safety, positioning this within the broader context of his public health advocacy. His perspective highlights the critical importance of informed consent and bodily integrity, principles fundamental to respecting personal autonomy widely recognized under international frameworks as well as state and federal laws.
3. Inconclusive studies and findings on a subject do not establish definitive facts. Labeling Mr. Kennedy as anti-science or anti-vaccine undermines the ability of researchers and scientists to critically analyze all available data, challenge existing studies, or seek legal remedies when harm occurs. Such labeling stifles open debate and discourages independent evaluation of the science, ultimately fostering greater public distrust. Constructive discourse and the freedom to form independent conclusions are essential to advancing scientific understanding and maintaining public confidence.
4. Mr. Kennedy's stance on the fluoridation of drinking water is supported by several reputable studies, including a study published in Nature Scientific Reports, and a 2024 report by the National Toxicology Program under the Biden administration. These findings raised concerns about fluoride's potential health effects, including cognitive impairment in children, and highlighted the need for further research and public discussion about the risks, benefits, and broader industry impacts of fluoridation. Mr. Kennedy's advocacy for continued research and policy evaluation aligns with the responsibilities of government agencies that are committed to protecting public health.
5. Mr. Kennedy's position regarding AIDS treatment is relevant to fostering more public health conversations about comprehensive solutions to the highly mutable HIV. His point was that while AZT was a valuable initial step, its use as a monotherapy led to limitations, such as the development of drug resistance and significant side effects, which hindered the exploration of other potential therapies at the time.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s willingness to listen, to avoid antagonizing individuals who disagree with him, and to champion those who have been harmed makes him a true advocate of public health and a qualified candidate to lead as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Sincerely,
Mark Hyman, MD
Thomas Harris, PhD
Mary Talley Bowden MD
Rosalyn Enos, MD
Kristina Carnevale, MD
Charles DeLisle, PhD
John Slattery
John Gaitanis, MD
Jill Schmitt DO
Gennaro D'Urso, PhD
Brian Tyson, MD
Daniel W. Stock MD
Robert Marsh D.O
Adibeh Awaida DO
Monica Wehby, MD, FAANS, FACS
Christopher Klingenberg MD
Melissa Wood, APRN
Tara Merritt, MD
Avery B. Brinkley Jr. MD
Kimberly Legg Corba, DO, OHCC
Sarah Mercer, MD
Linda S Welker PhD
John M Feehery MD
Zarina Hernandez Schipplick, MD
Kristen Sutley, MD
Carolin Penrose MD
Dana Tavaniello, DO
Samuel D. Ravenel, MD, FAAP
Tracie L Bolden MD
Christine L Saba MD, Pharm.D
Grace Henninger, MD
Renee Walczak MSPT
Amanda Gomes MD
Veronica Caudill-Engle DO
George Fareed, MD
Jessica Fischer DO
Derek A. Barker, DPM
Sharron Mason MD
Karen Golla, FNP-C
Anastasia V Kelley, MD
Beverly Ramos, MD
Michael Uphues, D.O.
Jocelyn Stamat MD
Peter Angelopoulos, MD, MBA
Vanessa Kay Cook MD
Kari Wilson, MD
Leigh Erica Behring, MD
Lionel Lee, DO
Jacqueline Koski DO MPH
Laura Preece, DO, FACOI, FACP
Carrie Smith, MD
Gayln Perry, MD
Stephanie Seneff, BS, MS, EE, PhD
Anna White, MD
Jamie Akin, DO
Meryl Nass, M.D.
Kristen Sutley, MD
Ora burstein MD
Allison Booth, MD
Kimberly Fletcher DO, FACOOG
Janet Purkey MD
Catherine Brooks, DO
Rebecca Chilvers, MD
Gayle Muir M.S.
Susan Passalaqua MD
Kristy Kirkland
Ann Andonyan, MD
Leila Sakhai, MD, FACOG
Anita Bergner, MD
Mary Lewis, MD
Jennifer Hibberd BSc, DDS, DPD, MRCDC
Haruhuani Spruce, M.D.
Bernadette Sanders, MAcOM, LAc
Gail Christensen Research Scientist
James Horning, MD
Allison Murphree, MD
Clint Mower DO
Susan M Rohr DO, FCCP
Clifford K. Choi, DC
Alieta Eck, MD
Robert Long MD
Luke Lincoln, MSc, MA
Christi Highart, DO, FACOS
SONJA L CERRA-GILCH, MD
Hava Lofton-Tomenius PhD
Paul Medhurst OKS. PhD. NPP.
Molly Rutherford, MD, MPH
Paul Goldstein DC
Marc Brown DC
Jennifer Edlund, ND
Leslie A Knight, MD
Lori Goodsell, DC
Sarah Lawson, MD
Leslie Moore, MD
Clinton B Ashford, MD
Edward Robt Kamp
Emily Ashford Sholes MD
Danae Powers MD
Laurel R Lemasters, MD
Marion Mass, M.D
Ronald Waterer, MD
Sherry Hamburg RN, BSN
Todd Barber DC
Stephanie Morgan, MD
Dina Trobbiani MD
Candice Gill, MD
Christine Ruggiero, MD
Caren Gallaher MD
Robert W. Malone, MD, MS
Jill Glasspool Malone, PhD
Ram Duriseti MD, PhD
Alon Steinberg MD
M. Cristina Payan, MD CAQ
Tiffany Jessee, DO, FACOS
Wendy Gram Brick, MD
Kat Lindley DO FACOFP
James Nicholson, MD
Bryan Atkinson MD
Anthony Maddox, PA-C
Charles Griffaton RN
Marsha Y. Blakeslee DO
Beth B DuPree MD
Mark Romzek, DO
Arden Andersen DO, MSPH, PhD
Rachel Hewett RN MSN
Russell S. Gonnering, MD, MMM, FACS, CPHQ
Melanie Crites-Bachert, DO, FACOS, FACS
Rachel Corbett MD
Regina Gritsavage, MD
Yadira Garcia MD
Norman Bebla, MD
Katherine Welch, MD
Shari Jacobson, LCSW
Leigh Forbush, DO
Douglas Farrago, MD
Maria Hubmer-Mogg, MD
Rob Rosborough MD
Amy Walsh, MD
Karladine Graves DO
Mary Davenport MD
Vance Lassey, MD
Michelle Kravitz, MD
Kimberly Milhoan, MD
Tanner Moore, MD
Laura Rivera ANP, FNP CRNP
Giselle Lai ND LAc
Luke Van Kirk, DO
Carole Pickett, Pharm D
Rick Jackson, MD
Suzanne Vandenhul, MD
Ryan Cole, MD
Heather Holton, RN
Rebecca Atha MD
Alla Chornaya, RN
Kris Held, MD
Laura Rivera CRNP. FNP-C
Gloria Witt MD FAAFP
Oleg Reznik, MD
Diane Palombi O.D.
Ana Cristina Ferretti, MD
Johnathan Edwards MD
Michael Cunningham DO
Sara Pfost RPh
Penelope Harris MD, COL USAR
Christopher Shade, PhD
Clinton S Turczak RN
Megan Pasookhush, PharmD
Martha R Herbert, PhD, MD
Lisa Bryhn MD
Mary Scharmer LMHC
Stephen S. Luther, MD
Irene Mavrakakis, M.D.
Brenda Marles RN
David Bohle, MD, FACC
Misty Reagan, NP-C
Michael Ciampi, M.D.
Stacey Leach, MSN, RN
Michael Zalac PharmD
Andrea M Dalve-Endres, MD
MyHuong Nguyen, MD
Taylor Bybee DDS
Philip Ovadia MD
T. Kent Denmark MD
Bernadette Pasamba-Rakhlin MD
Tais Howard, MAOM, LAC
Patricia Riley-Comeau, RN, CCM, CLNC
Michelle Rabin, Ph.D.
Charise Zielinsky RN BSN
Robert Apter, MD
ALAN PHILIP ONISKOR
Harry Ofgang ND
Patty Ofgang NP
Angelina fiorella, MD
Marjorie R Rodd P.T., Cert MDT
Claire Zengerle, DO
James Stober, MD
Sabine Hazan MD
Betsy McDonel Herr, PhD, HSPP
John M. Chamberlain, MHA, LFACHE
Angela Griffiths, DC, MsHNFM
Wesley Eichorn DO
Michael Purcell, DO
Katherine Maddox LMHC
Dana Norman, MD
Jessica Rose, BSc, MSc, PhD, PFC
Daniel Albo, MD, PhD, FACS
Cosima Krueger-Cunningham PhD
Tasha Fingerlin, PhD
Eugenia Poliakov PhD
Leah Morton, MD
+5000 other verified physicians, scientists, professors, and clinical providers
If you are not credentialed as a physician, scientist, academic, or healthcare provider but still want to support/share/ spread, please send and share this form with anyone you know who is!
If any academic/faculty signers or organization leaders would like to discuss this, if there are any related media inquiries, or if you are connected directly with a Nobel Laureate who might be open to discussing more, please reach out to Diana Lutfi, JD, MSHCM, CPHQ at dianalutfi@gmail.com or 626-200-3549
Signed by 5,215 Healthcare Providers, Scientists, and Academics
An open letter to the US Senate signed by 5,215 physicians, scientists, academics, and healthcare providers expresses concern over the increasing trend of dismissing legitimate scientific inquiry as "misinformation" when it challenges prevailing views. The letter argues that defunding, censoring, or rejecting studies with differing conclusions contradicts the scientific method and hampers progress by fostering groupthink and discouraging exploration.
“Incontrovertible is not a scientific word”
The signatories cite Nobel Laureate Ivar Giaever's assertion that "Incontrovertible is not a scientific word. Nothing is incontrovertible in science," emphasizing the importance of questioning and refining ideas. According to the letter, scientific progress relies on the rigorous testing of competing hypotheses rather than consensus. The letter urges the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services to address public concerns about chronic diseases, health policies, and environmental risks without avoiding contentious discussions. The signatories believe Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has demonstrated the courage to engage in such conversations while maintaining a commitment to evidence-based decision-making.
Greater transparency in vaccine research
The authors of the letter push back against previous criticisms of Kennedy, arguing that his professional experience is relevant to the role of HHS Secretary. They highlight that, historically, only a handful of secretaries have had medical backgrounds, with many others coming from legal, political, or administrative fields similar to Kennedy’s experience. Kennedy's supporters argue that his advocacy for greater transparency in vaccine research is not anti-science but rather a call for informed consent and thorough evaluation. They claim that labeling him as "anti-vaccine" undermines the scientific process by discouraging open debate and independent analysis.
Fluoride to AIDS
The letter also points to Kennedy's concerns regarding water fluoridation, referencing studies published in Nature Scientific Reports and the National Toxicology Program, which suggest potential health risks. The signatories believe Kennedy's stance aligns with the need for ongoing research and public discussion on such matters. On the topic of AIDS treatment, the letter argues that Kennedy's critiques of AZT as a monotherapy reflect broader concerns about the need for diverse treatment strategies. They assert that his perspective encourages a comprehensive approach to addressing HIV, considering the challenges of drug resistance and side effects.
RFK Jr willing to listen
The signatories praise Kennedy for his willingness to listen to different viewpoints and champion those who feel unheard in public health discussions. They maintain that his commitment to fostering open dialogue and evidence-based policy makes him a strong candidate for HHS Secretary.
The hearings look to be coming down to the wire, with so many committed to some form or another of reform in the health system. RFK Jr. represents a beacon of hope for those, while entrenched interests seek to block the confirmation.
RFK Jr. pressed on past comments about vaccines at HHS confirmation hearing
WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, faced senators on the Finance Committee Wednesday for the first of two confirmation hearings.
During opening comments, Kennedy touted the “Make America Healthy Again” movement and decried the United States’ rising rates of diseases such as obesity, addiction and diabetes.
“Americans’ overall health is in a grievous condition,” Kennedy said.
If confirmed, Kennedy will control a $1.7 trillion agency that oversees food and hospital inspections, hundreds of health clinics, vaccine recommendations and health insurance for roughly half the country.
What are RFK Jr.’s views on vaccines and abortion?
Kennedy, a former 2024 independent presidential candidate who dropped out and endorsed Trump, has sparked concerns about his record of spreading misinformation regarding vaccines. He has made claims linking vaccines to autism and previously said on the Lex Fridman podcast that “no vaccine is safe and effective.”
However, more recently, Kennedy has tried to downplay his past remarks and work, asserting he is not anti-vaccine and promising not to “take away” shots if confirmed.
On Wednesday, Kennedy said Fridman interrupted him during his podcast appearance after being questioned about his comments by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.
“Are you lying to Congress today when you say you’re pro-vaccine or did you lie on all of those podcasts?” Wyden asked Kennedy.
In response, Kennedy said what he meant to say was that “there are no vaccines that are safe and effective for every person.”
“News reports have claimed that I am anti-vaccine or anti-industry — I am neither. I am pro-safety,” Kennedy said at the hearing before being interrupted by a protestor, who was escorted out.
Later, Kennedy said he supports the measles and polio vaccine.
“I will do nothing as HHS secretary that makes it difficult or discourages people from taking any of those vaccines,” Kennedy said.
However, Kennedy made a false statement in front of lawmakers Wednesday that children under six “basically have a zero risk of COVID.”
According to several studies, COVID-19 was a leading cause of death for children 1 to 4. The University of Oxford found it ranked seventh as a cause of death among that age group between 2021 and 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends COVID-19 vaccines for those 6 months and older, and says the inoculation is safe for children.
On Wednesday, Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. said Kennedy has “peddled in half-truths” and “false statements” and theories creating doubt about “things that we know are safe.”
“He says it with such conviction, you want to believe him,” Bennet said.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, brought up how a group Kennedy used to chair, the Children’s Health Defense, sold baby onesies with phrases on them such as “Unvaxxed and Unafraid” and “No Vax, No problem.”
Kennedy said he has “no power in that organization.”
When Sanders asked whether he supported the onesies, Kennedy said he’s supportive of vaccines.
Some Republicans are worried about Kennedy’s past support of abortion rights. Former Vice President Mike Pence has suggested the Senate reject Kennedy based on his position.
Asked by Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford about abortion, Kennedy said he agrees with Trump that “every abortion is a tragedy.”
“I agree with him that the states should control abortion,” Kennedy said. “…I serve at the pleasure of the president, I’m going to implement his policies.”
Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-NH, grilled Kennedy about his previous statements on abortion, asking him when he decided to “sell out” in order to be “given power by Trump?”
Kennedy said Democrats on the committee were opposed to him for “partisan issues.”
When he was an environmental lawyer, Kennedy said, they agreed with him.
But now, they’re against him, Kennedy said, “because anything that President Trump does, any decision he makes has to be lampooned, derided, discredited, marginalized, vilified.”
RFK Jr. asked about Medicaid
Questioned by Democratic Rep. Bill Cassidy, a doctor from Louisiana, about reforms he’s proposing on Medicaid, Kennedy answered that he “doesn’t have a broad proposal for dismantling the program.”
He inaccurately claimed that Medicaid is fully paid for by the federal government when in reality, states and federal taxpayers fund it.
Pressed on whether he would cut Medicaid if Trump asked him to do it, Kennedy said that’s not up to him, but to Congress. He claimed most Americans would prefer to be on private insurance, though.
“Do we think it’s working for anybody?” Kennedy asked about Medicaid.
To that, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said for “literally hundreds of thousands of Virginians,” Medicaid is what prevents them from health crises on a daily and weekly basis.
Caroline Kennedy slams RFK Jr. as a ‘predator’
Meanwhile, a searing letter to senators from Caroline Kennedy, daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, was entered by some senators into the record.
In the letter, Caroline Kennedy, former ambassador to Australia and Japan, called Kennedy a “predator,” urging lawmakers to block his confirmation. She also made claims that he “preys on the desperation of parents of sick children” and highlighted allegations of drug use and animal mutilation, warning he is addicted to power and thus disqualified from leading HHS.
“Unlike Bobby, I try not to speak for my father — but I am certain that he and my uncle Bobby, who gave their lives in public service, and my uncle Teddy, who devoted his Senate career to improving healthcare, would be disgusted,” Caroline Kennedy wrote.
Wednesday’s confirmation hearing began at 10 a.m. ET. Kennedy’s second hearing is set for Thursday before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee.
The Associated Press and NewsNation digital producer Cassie Buchman contributed to this report.
WATCH: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies at Senate confirmation hearing for HHS secretary — Day 2
WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to be the nation’s top health official is uncertain after a key Republican joined Democrats to raise persistent concerns over the nominee’s deep skepticism of routine childhood vaccinations that prevent deadly diseases.
Watch Day 2 of Kennedy’s confirmation hearing in our player above.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, ended a three-hour confirmation hearing Thursday by telling Kennedy that he was “struggling” with his nomination and might call him over the weekend, though he did not say how he would vote.
Cassidy, a liver doctor who has regularly encouraged his constituents to vaccinate against COVID-19 and other diseases, implored Kennedy several times to reject theories that vaccines cause diseases like autism. Kennedy’s refusal to do so clearly troubled Cassidy.
“If there’s any false note, any undermining of a mama’s trust in vaccines, another person will die from a vaccine preventable disease,” Cassidy said.
The senator, who is up for re-election next year, laid out the dilemma before him, as a doctor who has seen how vaccines can save lives and as a Republican who is aware of Kennedy’s formidable support and wants to help President Donald Trump advance his policies. Cassidy is no stranger to these predicaments — and the outcry they might spark — he voted to convict Trump on impeachment charges after his first term in 2021.
Kennedy’s vaccine views could jeopardize his standing with a few crucial Republicans and has certainly not helped him win over any votes among Democrats in his bid to become health secretary. If all Democrats reject Kennedy’s nomination, he can only afford to lose three Republican votes.
WATCH: Vaccine specialist argues RFK Jr. would make them less accessible
Kennedy will also have to win over the swing votes of Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Mitch McConnell, who have raised concerns about Kennedy and also voted against Trump’s defense secretary nominee.
Any Republican considering a “no” vote will face a maximum pressure campaign from Trump to line up and confirm his nominees. When others have expressed reservations about supporting nominees, they have met a coordinated campaign of political threats from Trump’s allies. Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement has also encouraged followers to overwhelm the inboxes and phone lines of senators who may waffle.
Kennedy as well as other Cabinet nominees like Tulsi Gabbard, represent a new coalition built by Trump’s campaign. Kennedy last year launched his own campaign for president before joining forces with Trump in a shared vision of dismantling the status quo.
Kennedy, an environmental lawyer turned public health critic, repeatedly promised senators he is not “anti-vaccine” and that he, in fact, supports inoculations. But Thursday’s senate health committee hearing questions exposed Kennedy’s deep-seated mistrust in the nation’s vaccine program.
WATCH: RFK Jr. faces questions over vaccine skepticism, Medicaid reform at confirmation hearing
Cassidy directly asked Kennedy if he would unequivocally reassure parents that the Hepatitis B and measles vaccines do not cause autism.
Kennedy would not. Instead he avoided answering directly, saying “if the data is there, I will absolutely do that.”
In a rare show of across-the-aisle cooperation, Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, followed up on Cassidy’s line of questioning. Again, Kennedy refused to give a definitive answer.
Then, in the closing moments of the hearing, Cassidy offered Kennedy studies that have proven vaccinations do not cause autism, prodding him to accept the research. Kennedy would not, instead responded with an article — one that Cassidy said had “issues.”
Saying clearly that vaccines do not cause autism “would have incredible impact,” Cassidy told him. “That would have incredible impact. That’s your power.”
At times, questioning from other senators was intensely personal. Sen. Maggie Hassan, Democrat of New Hampshire, shared her anguish as a mother who has spent decades wondering what caused her 36-year-old son’s cerebral palsy. She worried about whether vaccines contributed to her son’s condition after an infamous study years ago falsely found a link between autism and vaccines. That study has since been roundly discredited.
Hassan said Kennedy’s suggestions that vaccines could cause autism were hurting families.
“He is re-litigating and churning settled science so we can’t go forward and find out what the cause of autism is and treat these kids and help these families,” she said, later adding: “When you continue to sow doubt about settled science, it makes it impossible for us to move forward.”
Aside from Cassidy, Republicans on the health committee remained friendly to Kennedy. Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, who said his two sons wanted to vote for Kennedy in the presidential election, told the hearing that his granddaughter, due in the coming weeks, would not “be a pincushion” when it came to vaccines.
Two others expressed doubts about the safety of vaccines, although both said they’ve vaccinated their own children.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, chided his colleagues for scrutinizing Kennedy’s skeptical stances on vaccinations.
“We can’t question science?” Mullin asked.
Others raised concerns about Kennedy’s financial stake in lawsuits against vaccine makers.
Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, where the Gardasil vaccine to guard against cervical cancer is made, questioned Kennedy’s financial disclosure forms, which state that he still plans to collect fees in cases referred to the law firm in a suit against that vaccine. Last year, Kennedy made $850,000 off the deal.
“How can folks who need to have confidence in federal vaccine programs trust you to be independent and science-based when you stand to gain significant funding if lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers are successful?” Kaine asked.
Kennedy told Kaine he has given away his financial rights in the case.
Kaine also questioned Kennedy for saying on social media that he would not “take sides” as conspiracy theorists question what happened during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Kennedy responded that he had been taught from a young age to question authority, saying, “My father told me when I was 13 years old, he said, ‘People in authority lie.’”
Democrats and Republicans alike repeatedly pressed the nominee on his plans around abortion, with Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina asking if he would appoint “pro-life” deputies and several Democrats asking him how he would handle the abortion drug mifepristone.
The Biden administration defended lawsuits against the use of the drug, including its availability over telehealth. Kennedy said no decision had yet been made about how to handle the controversial drug, which the Food and Drug Administration approved to end pregnancies safely more than two decades ago.
“With mifepristone, President Trump has not chosen a policy and I will implement his policy,” Kennedy told the committee.
Kennedy wants to lead the $1.7 trillion agency that oversees health care coverage — Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act marketplace — for roughly half the country, approves then recommends vaccines for deadly diseases and conducts safety inspections of food and hospitals.
The Senate finance committee, which Cassidy sits on, will ultimately decide how to send Kennedy’s nomination to the Senate floor for a vote.
During a three-hour hearing with that committee on Wednesday, Kennedy misstated basic facts about Medicare and Medicaid. But Republicans offered strong support for Kennedy’s proposal to promote healthier foods to Americans and research the root of chronic diseases like obesity.
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