Senator Maggie Hassan Fights Back Tears as She Discusses Son’s Struggles with Cerebral Palsy
Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) fought back tears at a Senate hearing on Thursday as she discussed her son’s struggles with Cerebral palsy (CP) and her concerns about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s views on vaccines and autism. Hassan accused Kennedy, President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services, of trying to relitigate “settled science” and sowing doubt about the link between vaccines and autism.
Hassan, who is the proud mother of a 36-year-old son with severe Cerebral Palsy, said that she takes her responsibility for advice and consent seriously and is concerned about Kennedy’s positions on issues like abortion. She also accused Republican colleagues of dismissing concerns about Kennedy’s views as simply “partisanship.”
Hassan said that she was disturbed by Kennedy’s refusal to disconnect autism and certain vaccines, and that his views on the issue are not supported by science. She also criticized Kennedy for citing debunked or small studies to support his claims.
Hassan’s emotional testimony came as Kennedy faced his second confirmation round before a Senate committee, where Democratic lawmakers continued to hammer him on his past controversial statements and his views on vaccines.
