RFK Jr. Takes The Stand at Second Confirmation Hearing
View from the Overflow Room in Dirksen Senate Office Building. Photo Courtesy of Jackson Russell
By Jackson Russell
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced a tough senate committee last Thursday on his road to potential confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The second of Kennedy’s confirmation hearings this week, The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) convened Thursday morning at Dirksen to determine if Kennedy is fit to run the agency that governs the use of 1.8 trillion dollars in healthcare and wellness spending.
The hearing was led by chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a former practicing physician, and ranking member Bernie Sanders (I-VI). Both Senators came into this hearing with strong reservations about the upcoming nominee, especially his views on vaccines. Senator Sanders even hosted a roundtable discussion (livestreamed on X) that established his contentions prior to the hearing.
In his opening remarks, Kennedy mostly focused on his past, on his embrace of President Trump’s healthcare policies, and on the negative effects of the costs of healthcare. He also claimed that he is not anti-vaccine, but “pro-safety.”
Despite this and similar statements the day before, this three-hour hearing was much more focused on his views on the topic. Senator Cassidy was the most adamant on the subject, first questioning Kennedy on the subject, especially on whether vaccines cause autism.
Throughout the hearing Kennedy claimed to have an open mind on the subject of vaccines. He claimed that he “will follow the data” during his time as HHS secretary and said he would apologize if the studies find that autism does not cause vaccines. This is after the fact Senator Sanders alone submitted 16 studies showing otherwise; despite this, Kennedy has claimed in the past that vaccines cause autism.
Several of Kennedy’s other past claims were presented as well, from his claim while on a podcast that Lyme disease was a bioweapon to his comparison between child vaccination and the sex scandal in the Catholic Church. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) was especially concerned about an X post where Kennedy claimed he “won’t take sides” on whether or not 9/11 was an inside job.
Despite these concerns, Kennedy enjoyed strong support during the hearing. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) both used their time to defend Kennedy’s research efforts. Paul, a former physician himself, said his committee must be “open minded” regarding the subject of autism’s causes, and that “science doesn’t say anything” about it. Mullin agreed, stating that it was absurd not to question science.
In the end, Chair Cassidy ended the hearing with a stern warning to Kennedy while wondering how Kennedy would act in his upcoming position. “Will it be using credibility to support [lots of articles] or will it be using credibility to undermine,” he questioned, “And I gotta figure that out, for my vote.”
This meeting follows a confirmation hearing on finance, where Kennedy deflected similar criticisms from both parties by denying his past anti-vaccination stances and claimed, “every abortion is a tragedy.” The hearing notably attracted an agitated crowd.
This Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee allowed Kennedy to move forward to the floor for vote. Senator Bill Cassidy ended up being the deciding vote on the matter, claiming in a floor speech that it was after much consideration with his constituents, and the condition that Kennedy give a 30 days notice to the HELP committee of any changes in Vaccine Safety Monitoring programs.
“I want Mr. Kennedy to succeed in making America healthy again.” Senator Cassidy concluded, “His success will be tied to the health of our nation.”
