Kennedy’s nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services is facing challenges.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies at a Senate hearing regarding his nomination. (Rod Lamkey, Jr./Associated Press)
During a recent Senate hearing, Senator John Hickenlooper took a gentle approach while questioning Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. This hearing followed a more heated session the day before, where Kennedy faced tough questions about his controversial views on abortion and vaccines.
The Senate Finance Committee is the only group scheduled to vote on Kennedy’s nomination, but that vote hasn’t been set yet, according to Reuters.
While Republicans expressed some support for Kennedy in the earlier hearing, concerns were raised by Senator Bill Cassidy regarding Kennedy’s past comments about vaccines. With a narrow majority on the Finance Committee, if all Democrats and Cassidy vote against Kennedy, his nomination could end there.
During his testimony, Kennedy claimed to support vaccines but stopped short of categorically denying that childhood vaccines cause autism, a claim that has been thoroughly debunked. He previously founded the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense but stepped down as chairman in December.
“People say I’m anti-vaccine,” Kennedy insisted. “That’s not true.”
Senator Hickenlooper mentioned he remains “very concerned” about Kennedy’s vaccine stance. He began his questioning by asking about Trump’s commitment to allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Kennedy assured him that Trump is dedicated to lowering these costs.
In an earlier move, Trump rescinded an executive order aimed at reducing drug costs for Medicare and Medicaid patients, although some pricing caps remain in place under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Hickenlooper also asked Kennedy about his plans for preventing chronic illnesses. Kennedy proposed a shift to value-based care, emphasizing the need to identify and eliminate toxic substances contributing to health issues.
Regarding mifepristone, the abortion pill, Kennedy is prepared to follow the president’s policy and investigate its safety, as requested by Trump.
Hickenlooper pressed for assurances that any future studies would be unbiased. Kennedy promised collaboration with the Senate committee to ensure credible research processes.
When questioned about his past claims linking Lyme disease to military experiments, Kennedy replied that he was only highlighting what some believe, but did not endorse that view. He acknowledged that he might have said Lyme disease was a bioweapon.
This nomination process demonstrates the complexities of Kennedy’s past and the reactions it elicits as he seeks confirmation for this critical role in public health policy.
Kathryn Squyres is an intern for The Durango Herald and The Journal and a student at American University in Washington, D.C. You can reach her at ksquyres@durangoherald.com.
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