RFK Jr. grilled by US Senators on vaccines, abortion at first confirmation hearing as Trump’s health secretary

The Democratic lawmakers in the Senate confronted Robert F Kennedy Jr. with his past statements related to a deadly measles outbreak in Samoa in 2019, his viewpoint on COVID-19 and his claims where he linked vaccines to autism in children.

Republican senators seemed largely receptive to Kennedy and his version of explanation on abortion, his opinions on the US food industry, vaccines etc.

However, Kennedy’s past stance particularly on abortion has raised eyebrows within the Republican Party as it didn’t align with their conservative viewpoint.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s choice to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies before the Senate Finance Committee during his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo)

Kennedy’s confirmation hearing on Wednesday in front of the Senate Finance Committee was the first test the Trump’s health secretary nominee faced, and the questioning would continue on Thursday in front of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

When asked by committee on his stance over vaccines, Kennedy said that he is not anti-vaccine and supports the current childhood vaccination schedule.

“That’s a pejorative that’s applied to me to keep me from asking difficult questions about powerful interests,” said Kennedy, while insisting that he was not a conspiracy theorist.

Kennedy, who has previously said that he favours abortion rights, was asked by the Republican and Democratic Senators both about his stance on the issue and he responded by saying, “I believe every abortion is a tragedy.”

Although Kennedy’s hearing got interrupted by protesters shouting against his stance on several issues, he even received loud applause when he promised he would make America healthy again.