Robert Kennedy Jr., nominated by former President Donald Trump to be the Health and Human Services Secretary, faced intense questioning from senators during his confirmation hearing for Health and Human Services Secretary position.
According to Daily Mail, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promised not to interfere with President Donald Trump's McDonald's and Diet Coke preferences while outlining his vision for American health during a contentious Senate Finance Committee hearing.
The three-and-a-half-hour session on Wednesday featured heated exchanges between Kennedy and Democratic senators who challenged his past statements on vaccines, food safety, and various health-related issues. Republicans showed more support for the nominee, who had switched from being a Democratic presidential candidate to endorsing Trump after dropping out of the 2024 race.
During his opening statement, Kennedy addressed the controversy surrounding his views on vaccines, emphasizing that he is neither anti-vaccine nor anti-industry. He stated that all his children are vaccinated and affirmed vaccines' crucial role in healthcare.
Senator Ron Wyden, the ranking Democratic member, strongly criticized Kennedy's history of vaccine skepticism. He accused the nominee of making a career out of discouraging parents from vaccinating their children and claimed Kennedy's activities had been financially profitable.
When questioned about his previous statements, Kennedy had this response:
I don't want to take food away from anybody. If you like a McDonald's cheeseburger, Diet Coke, which my boss loves, you should be able to get them. If you want to eat Hostess Twinkies, you should do that but know what the impacts are on your family and health.
Senator Michael Bennet pressed Kennedy about his past claims regarding COVID-19 and other health issues. The nominee acknowledged some controversial statements while defending or clarifying others.
Senator Bernie Sanders confronted Kennedy about anti-vaccine merchandise sold by Children's Health Defense, an organization Kennedy founded. Despite Kennedy's resignation from the board, Sanders questioned his continued influence over the organization's activities.
Democratic senators also scrutinized Kennedy's shifting position on abortion rights. Senator Maggie Hassan suggested Kennedy had abandoned his previous pro-choice stance to gain Trump's support.
Kennedy outlined his vision for improving Medicaid, though his comments revealed some confusion between Medicaid and Medicare programs. He incorrectly stated that Medicaid was fully federally funded and discussed premiums that most beneficiaries don't pay.
The hearing room was filled with both supporters wearing Kennedy 2024 apparel and critics, including doctors wearing pins opposing his nomination. Two protesters were removed for disrupting the proceedings.
The audience's reactions reflected the partisan divide, with Kennedy's supporters giving standing ovations while critics vocally opposed his statements.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation hearing for HHS Secretary highlighted the deep divisions over his controversial past statements and policy positions. The former Democrat turned Trump nominee faced intense scrutiny from Democratic senators while receiving support from Republicans. If confirmed, Kennedy would oversee crucial health programs and policies while balancing his promises to preserve personal choice, including the president's fast food preferences, with his stated goals of improving American health through enhanced food safety and healthcare reforms.
