Here is the content of the article:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Testifies Before Senate Committee
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s controversial pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, testified before a crucial Senate panel on Wednesday. Kennedy faced questions about vaccine skepticism, his evolving views on abortion, and his grasp of sprawling federal health programs.
Kennedy, 71, appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance, where he will face a vote on whether his nomination as HHS secretary advances to the full chamber. If confirmed, Kennedy will take the reins of a $1.7 trillion agency that oversees vaccines, medicines, scientific research, public health infrastructure, pandemic preparedness, food and tobacco products, and government-funded health care for millions of Americans.
Kennedy has faced criticism from both sides of the aisle due to his views on vaccines, which some claim are linked to autism. He is also the founder of the nonprofit Children’s Health Defense, the most well-funded anti-vaccine organization in the U.S.
During the hearing, Kennedy sidestepped many of the questions and often said he would defer to Trump on policies. He also struggled to answer questions about Medicare and Medicaid, at times confusing the two programs.
Kennedy denied being anti-vaccine, despite his previous claims that vaccines are linked to autism. He argued that he supports the measles and polio vaccines and would do nothing as HHS secretary that makes it difficult or discourages people from getting them.
Democratic senators pressed Kennedy on his comments about vaccines and his stance on abortion, accusing him of having reversed his views for political expediency. Kennedy repeated his claim that “every abortion is a tragedy” and said he would implement the policies of Trump, who had not yet taken a position on how to regulate the abortion pill mifepristone.
Kennedy will also appear before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions for a courtesy hearing on Thursday. The fate of his nomination remains uncertain, as he needs to gain the support of all Republicans and potentially some Democrats in the Senate to be confirmed.
