Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Faces Tough Questions in First Confirmation Hearing
President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., had his first confirmation hearing on Wednesday. Senators questioned him on his past views on vaccines, abortion, and food safety. The health secretary role is important because it oversees public health issues like medical research, food safety, and welfare programs.
1. His Vaccine Views Were a Big Topic
Senators repeatedly asked Kennedy about his past comments on vaccines. He led a group called Children’s Health Defense, which spread doubts about vaccines and falsely linked them to autism. However, Kennedy insisted he is not against vaccines but wants stricter safety tests. He argued that his words were taken out of context when he once said, “No vaccine is safe and effective.” BBC reported that some senators didn’t believe his explanation, saying his past statements showed otherwise.
2. He Blamed Processed Food for America’s Health Problems
Kennedy strongly criticized processed foods, saying they cause obesity and chronic diseases. He promised to push for better food safety and remove financial conflicts of interest between the government and the food industry. BBC highlighted that Kennedy reassured people that he wasn’t trying to ban fast food. He even joked that Trump, who nominated him, loves McDonald’s cheeseburgers and Diet Coke.
3. He Shifted His Stance on Abortion
Kennedy had previously supported abortion rights but changed his position during the hearing. He said, “Every abortion is a tragedy” and supported Trump’s stance that individual states should decide abortion laws. Some senators accused him of changing his views just to get the job. BBC pointed out that one Democratic senator accused him of “selling out” his beliefs to please Trump.
4. Bernie Sanders Challenged Him on Healthcare
Senator Bernie Sanders asked Kennedy if healthcare should be a basic right for all Americans. Kennedy hesitated and instead brought up a smoker with lung cancer, asking if they should have the same healthcare as a non-smoker. BBC reported that Sanders didn’t like this answer and pushed Kennedy further, even confronting him about baby clothes sold by Children’s Health Defense with anti-vaccine slogans. Kennedy distanced himself from the group, saying he no longer runs it.
5. Republicans Praised Him, Democrats Criticized Him
As BBC noted, the hearing was divided along party lines. Many Democrats attacked Kennedy for spreading misinformation, while some Republicans praised his stance on food safety and chronic disease. One Republican senator even called Kennedy the “answer to his prayers.” By the end of the hearing, a key Republican senator said Kennedy “deserves to be confirmed,” while a Democratic senator said he was “untrustworthy and unprepared.”
Kennedy will face another round of questioning on Thursday before the Senate votes on whether to confirm him.
BBC emphasized that the next hearing could be even tougher.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74mj39dkklo