WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following a lively Senate hearing with Health and Human Services Department Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., some members are airing their concerns if he is able to lead the Department. Despite pushback from some Republican members, Kennedy maintained his position on COVID vaccines and other leadership changes within the Department.
In what was supposed to be a hearing on the President’s health agenda, it turned into a heated back and forth between members on both sides of the aisle with Secretary Kennedy. In his seven months leading the HHS Department, the Secretary has made sweeping changes to HHS, fired the CDC’s independent advisors on vaccines and fired the Center’s director about a month into the job. In this hearing, Secretary Kennedy defended his positions on the CDC and COVID vaccines.
“Secretary Kennedy, in your confirmation hearings, you promised to uphold the highest standards for vaccines,” said Sen. John Barrasso (R- WY). “Since then, I’ve grown deeply concerned. The public has seen measles outbreaks. Leadership of the National Institute of Health questioning the use of MRNA vaccines. The recently confirmed director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fired.”
At some points, it turned into a screaming match.
“Mr. Kennedy on behalf of parents and schools and teachers all over the United States of America who deserve so much better than your leadership,” said Sen. Michael Bennet (D- CO).
“You did it behind doors and parents who decide that they do want their children to I’m not making stuff up, you know, sometimes when you make an accusation, it’s kind of a confession,” said Sen. Maggie Hassan (D- NH).
Following the hearing, doubts about the Secretary’s leadership were expressed on both sides. The President, however, remained confident in Secretary Kennedy, even after this hearing.
“I’ve been concerned over the last four weeks,” said Sen. Thom Tillis (R- NC). “You know, I’m a management consultant. I’ve never, never would have occurred to me that an executive who put so much time into sending somebody forth for a Senate confirmation would not have done the basics beforehand.”
