Vaccines, budget cuts and affordability: Takeaways from RFK Jr’s gauntlet of congressional hearings
Summary
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before Congress to defend President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which includes major funding cuts. He denied responsibility for recent measles outbreaks and falling vaccination rates, blaming a loss of trust in government health advice instead.Key Facts
- Kennedy appeared before multiple congressional committees to discuss the 2027 budget request for HHS.
- The proposed budget includes more than a 12% cut to HHS funding but increases defense spending.
- Kennedy described the budget cuts as necessary due to the federal government’s $39 trillion deficit.
- Democrats strongly criticized the cuts and Kennedy’s past positions on vaccines.
- Kennedy denied he is anti-vaccine and said he supports science, despite past statements urging resistance to CDC vaccine guidelines.
- He claimed rising measles cases are a global issue, not caused by his policies or actions.
- Kennedy said fewer Americans vaccinate due to lost trust during the COVID-19 pandemic and is working to rebuild that trust.
- A Democratic lawmaker expressed concern that Kennedy’s views have led to parents refusing other standard newborn health treatments.
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