RFK Jr. 4 gains from the Double Congress Hearing

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Kennedy canceled questions about vaccines, canceled medical research and a thorough overhaul of the Federal Health Agency during a hearing on President Trump’s budget request, which could lead to greater cuts.

Here are some key points:

Defend vaccine messaging

Democrats use these hearings to hammer Kennedy’s vaccine messaging.

In the deadliest measles outbreak in decades, the secretary has confused his message about the importance of measles shooting to attract the public and anti-vaccine hardline.

Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) imposed new standards for vaccine approval on Kennedy and commented on his shooting of measles.

“You told the public that the vaccine will soon weaken. You attended the ‘Dr. Phil’ show and said the measles vaccine was never fully tested to ensure safety. You said there were fetal debris in the measles vaccine.”

“Everything is true,” Kennedy shouted. “Do you want me to lie to the public?”

“None of this is true,” Murphy retorted.

Earlier in the day, House Appropriations Ranking member Rosa Delauro (D-Conn.), told Kennedy that he was “promoting Quackery.”

“Under your watch, our country is now unable to curb preventable vaccine disease.”

When Rep. Mark Pocan (d-wis.) asked him to choose to vaccinate measles today, Kennedy hesitated and replied, “Maybe.”

Kennedy had previously said he had vaccinated his now-adult child but regretted the decision.

“I’m going to say that my opinion on the vaccine doesn’t matter,” Kennedy said. “I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me.”

He did not directly answer whether he was vaccinated with children with polio or chickenpox, saying he believed that vaccination was a personal choice.

Don’t know the full details of the cut department

Kennedy defiantly defended his overhaul of HHS, even though he seemed vague about the details and impact of putting 10,000 employees on administrative leave.

“We have to act quickly,” Kennedy said in response to a question from Senator Andy King (DN.J.). “We know there will be some mistakes and we will go back and turn them around…but it’s even more important to take decisive action quickly.”

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) asked Kennedy about delays and cuts that would threaten plans to prevent domestic violence.

“My understanding is that domestic violence funds are not cut,” Kennedy said. “I don’t know why people are experiencing delays.”

But Merkowski noted that because of the agency’s layoffs, “it may be that you don’t have people dealing with these things.”

Kennedy evaded some specific issues regarding the HHS reorganization cited as a court order. But he claimed it was his decision to fire a probation employee, and Elon Musk’s government efficiency provided information to help the work.

“I delayed some people and canceled some people,” Kennedy said.

In a wide-ranging speech, he denied being eliminated by many HHS offices, and instead, some were transferred to the healthy U.S. government, a new office proposed by the Trump administration.

Since January, Rep. Louis Frankel (D-Fla.) asked Kennedy exactly how many HHS employees had ruled. Kennedy said 10,000 people have been fired, and 10,000 more have chosen the Trump administration’s “fork” to postpone his resignation.

Frankel speculated: “They do nothing.”

Kennedy replied: “Okay… a lot of people should stay still.”

“But they do nothing,” Frankel pushed back. “They don’t allow work.”

“No, no. We want them to work,” Kennedy insisted.

The Republicans want answers, too

Republican lawmakers’ moves against the Trump administration have been zeroed, which has also affected voters on Wednesday.

Republicans did not directly undermine Kennedy or question the main move, but Republicans pushed for answers to different parts of his agenda. Their questions show a willingness to re-push U.S. health priorities, especially if the department’s efforts contradict the livelihoods in their area.

In the House, Republican lawmakers seek answers about how the new regulations will affect their regions. They thanked Kennedy for restoring some of the fired workers and seeking assurances that plans that are vital to their constituents will be restored.

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) questioned the FDA’s initiative to phase out artificial food dyes for snack food manufacturers in his area.

“I think these dyes are safe. They have been approved, but they do try to find alternatives – the estimates we see are estimated to be the cost of trying to solve this problem five to ten times,” Fleschman said, asking Kennedy to work with him to replace the cost of any new dye that was eliminated and the safety of any new dye.

Rep. Riley Moore (RW.VA.) seeks Kennedy’s assurance that the staff and programs of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health will be fully restored. Kennedy rehired hundreds of NIOSH employees this week, including employees at the Morgan Town plant in the Moore area.

West Virginia Republicans also asked to ensure that NIOSH’s coal workers’ health monitoring program and respirator approval program have been fully restored.

First time with Cassidy

Wednesday was also Kennedy’s first testimony before Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who was the chairman of the committee, who wrestled publicly to confirm Kennedy.

Cassidy finally voted for Kennedy and announced any controversial decisions made by the department after receiving a promise from Kennedy and Trump Administration.

“I will pay close attention to any efforts to mistakenly sow the public’s fear of vaccines,” Cassidy said at the time.

But while Cassidy put pressure on Kennedy during a confirmation hearing, especially the false claim that Kennedy has long caused autism, he took a soft tone on Wednesday.

“Most of the conversation about the HHS agenda was conducted by anonymous sources in the media and individuals who were biased against the president,” Cassidy said in his opening remarks. “Americans need to assure the government, and your gentleman has a guarantee to the government that its reforms will make their lives easier, not harder.”

Cassidy did not ask Kennedy directly about the vaccine on Wednesday.

Once, when Kennedy said there was no vaccine, other than the placebo evaluation, he said there was no vaccine, and he inserted the corrective record.

“The rotavirus, measles and HPV vaccines have been tested with previous versions,” Cassidy said.

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