US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended his controversial policies while leading the health department, while Democrats argued that his changes on vaccines endanger public health and opposed proposed budget cuts.
On Thursday, Kennedy began a series of seven congressional hearings, where lawmakers questioned him for the first time in more than seven months. The hearings will continue next week.
His department recently underwent a major leadership shakeup, and he has emphasized his food and nutrition messaging at a time when Republican polls warn of the political dangers of vaccine skepticism ahead of the midterm elections. However, for about four hours on Thursday morning, lawmakers questioned him mostly about vaccines, fraud in federal programs and the budget request. Another hearing was held that afternoon.
Kennedy highlighted efforts to phase out synthetic food coloring, reform dietary guidelines and reach agreements with pharmaceutical companies.
“Our children are the sickest generation in modern history — and decades of failed policies, captive agencies, and profit-driven systems have caused this,” he said during a hearing before the House Committee on Means and Taxation.
During the hearing, lawmakers confronted Kennedy about his previous statements. In a heated exchange, Rep. Terri A. Sewell referred to comments he made on a 2024 online show in which he suggested that black children taking medications like Adderall and SSRIs should be “reprogrammed by their parents.” Kennedy said he wanted to hear the recording.
Democrats also argued that he is not doing enough to combat fraud, while Republicans praised his efforts and Kennedy blamed Joe Biden's administration for a lack of action.
The issue of vaccines sparked the most heated debate. Rep. Linda T. Sánchez said the increase in measles cases was alarming and linked it to his anti-vaccine rhetoric. When asked if the measles vaccine could have saved the life of an unvaccinated child in Texas, Kennedy replied: “It’s possible, of course.”
Rep. Judy Chu also criticized changes to recommendations for the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns. Kennedy called hepatitis B “a terrible disease,” but said the vaccine has not been adequately tested for safety and that parents should have the right to question it — a stance that runs counter to health authorities, writes Washington Post.
Kennedy also addressed his "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement, which has faced difficulties in recent weeks. He mentioned plans to re-form the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a panel of experts that sets recommendations for health screenings and influences insurance coverage.
In another heated exchange, MP Steven Horsford asked him if he had been consulted on the weakening of heavy metals protection rules. Kennedy said he had not and that it was not in his jurisdiction, adding: “People shout when they don’t have much to say.”
Republicans, meanwhile, praised his focus on food and health. Rep. Greg Murphy said: “The most important thing you’ve done is emphasize that food is medicine.”
A key part of the hearings was defending the budget cuts. In an exchange with Rep. Gwen Moore, who criticized him for cuts to child nutrition programs, Kennedy admitted he was not happy with the measures.
“Nobody wants to make these cuts,” he said, but added that the national debt makes it necessary: “We have to tighten our belts now.”
