(The Center Square) – Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, is set to testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Today.
This is following his initial appearance Wednesday before the Senate Finance Committee, where he faced rigorous questioning by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., about his past statements on vaccines, chemicals and health and insurance programs.
Kennedy was scrutinized over past statements, and senators sought insight into how his beliefs might influence his leadership over the $1.8 trillion agency that oversees critical health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. In its 2025 budget brief, HHS proposed $130.7 billion in discretionary spending and $1.7 trillion in mandatory proposed budget authority for fiscal year 2025.
Thursday’s hearing is expected to delve deeper into Kennedy’s positions on public health initiatives, vaccine policies, and his plans for the HHS if he is confirmed.
The outcome of this hearing will be pivotal in determining if Kennedy can secure the role.
Kennedy denied being anti-vaccine, anti-abortion, or anti-industry during his Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing. He defended past statements on vaccine safety, nutrition, and chronic disease. Still, he refuted claims that he spread measles vaccine misinformation in Samoa or linked pesticides to transgender identities.
Kennedy held firm that COVID-19 vaccines were unnecessary for healthy children. He also highlighted the rise in chronic diseases.
