Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced sharp scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers during dual House hearings on Thursday, marking his first Congressional appearance in over six months. The hearings focused on his vaccine policies and significant staff reductions at federal health agencies.
Democrats on the Ways and Means and Appropriations committees linked the surge in measles cases across the U.S. to Kennedy's public criticism of vaccines. "The anti-vaccine rhetoric you ran on and the anti-vaccine actions you have taken over the last year clearly correlates with the dramatic increases," said Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.). Kennedy countered, calling her claims "misinformation," while acknowledging that the measles vaccine could have potentially saved a child's life during an outbreak in Texas.
"Yes, it's safe for most people," Kennedy said when asked directly about the measles vaccine's safety and efficacy.
Kennedy’s prepared remarks avoided the topic of vaccines, instead highlighting efforts to promote healthy foods and lower drug prices. However, under questioning, he defended his department’s policy changes, including the CDC’s decision to scrap the Hepatitis B vaccine recommendation for newborns. "Parents can assess the risk themselves through informed consent," he argued.
Republicans were less confrontational, with Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) questioning reports of mismanagement at the FDA. Kennedy defended the agency, attributing criticism to pharmaceutical industry influence. "They own Congress, they own the media," he said of the industry's power.
Kennedy also addressed staffing issues, revealing that his department plans to hire 12,000 more employees after losing 20,000 last year. "We will have made up for all the employees that we lost," he stated. He deferred questions about rehiring employees placed on administrative leave to the CDC’s new leadership team.
Looking ahead, Kennedy announced plans to overhaul the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, signaling potential future clashes with lawmakers. The task force plays a critical role in determining which preventive services insurers must fully cover under the Affordable Care Act.