US EditionRFK Jr. defends proposed 12% health budget cut, measles response in House testimony
Kennedy defended a proposed $16 billion cut and faced sharp questioning over vaccine policy, as lawmakers cited 1,714 measles cases this year.
- On Thursday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before the House Ways and Means Committee, defending a proposed 12.5% budget cut to his department while facing sharp criticism from lawmakers over vaccine policies and agency overhauls.
- Kennedy argued the department must "tighten our belt" because of the nation's $39 trillion federal deficit, defending the 12.5% funding reduction despite bipartisan concerns about impacts on medical research and public health initiatives.
- Democratic Rep. Linda Sanchez challenged Kennedy over the recent measles surge, asking if vaccination could have saved a child who died in Texas last year; Kennedy replied, "It's possible, certainly."
- Addressing accusations about his agency's direction, Kennedy claimed fraud accounts for "about $100 billion a year" in entitlement programs, arguing this mismanagement necessitated his aggressive budget and policy changes despite fierce Democratic pushback.
- Seven congressional hearings are scheduled for Kennedy over the coming week, including testimony before the Senate Health Committee next Wednesday, where lawmakers will further scrutinize his department's budget and controversial leadership decisions.
33 Articles
33 Articles
A vaccine standoff and other key moments from RFK Jr.'s first congressional hearing in months
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended a more than 12% proposed cut to his department's budget and dodged arrows from angry Democrats as he kicked off an expected sprint of seven hearings in Congress over the next seven days.…
RFK Jr. Hearing Video Goes Viral – Secretary Struggles to Turn Page as Hands Shake in Tense Testimony
A brief moment from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s congressional testimony is drawing attention after a video showed the Health and Human Services Secretary struggling to handle his notes during a tense budget hearing. The clip, recorded during a 16 April appearance before the House Ways and Means Committee, shows Kennedy's hands and head visibly shaking as he attempts to turn a page, before pausing and removing his glasses. What Happened in the Viral …
Vaccine standoff marks RFK Jr.'s first congressional hearing in months
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended a more than 12% proposed cut to his department's budget and dodged arrows from angry Democrats as he kicked off an expected sprint of seven hearings in Congress over the next seven days.…
RFK Jr. defends budget cuts, attempts to roll back vaccine recommendations at heated House hearing
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday faced federal lawmakers for the first time since September as he sought to defend a more than 12% proposed cut to his department’s budget and dodge arrows from angry Democrats along the way.
RFK Jr. Confronted Over Vaccines in House Hearing
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared on Capitol Hill on Thursday and tried to talk about budgets and chronic disease, but House Democrats kept bringing him back to vaccines and measles. Testifying before the House Ways and Means Committee on the Trump administration's plan to cut the Health and Human Services...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
