Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies throughout a listening to of the Home Committee on Methods and Means on Capitol Hill on April 16, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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Heather Diehl/Getty Photographs
In his first look on Capitol Hill this yr, Well being Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended his report in operating the Division of Well being and Human Providers.
On Thursday, Kennedy testified earlier than the Home Methods and Means Committee, taking part in up his company’s accomplishments on a variety of points — from drug value negotiations to the brand new dietary pointers — and did his greatest to sidestep criticism of his controversial actions on vaccines.
“We’re ending the period of federal insurance policies that fueled the persistent illness epidemic and changing them with insurance policies that put the well being of Individuals first,” Kennedy declared in his opening remarks to the committee.
Throughout testimony, Kennedy additionally took questions concerning the Trump administration’s proposal to chop his company’s finances within the coming fiscal yr by near $16 billion, which might quantity to a 12.5% minimize from final yr.
Kennedy acquired a principally heat reception from Republicans on the committee who requested him how his company is dealing with fraud on the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Providers, rural well being care and different problems with curiosity of their districts.
In the meantime, Democrats took the chance to grill Kennedy on the upsurge in vaccine-preventable illnesses, reminiscent of measles, below his watch and the weakening of the childhood vaccine schedule. (Kennedy’s efforts to overtake the vaccine schedule is presently blocked by the courts.)
“Youngsters have died as a result of measles is operating rampant below your watch,” mentioned Rep. Mike Thompson, a Democrat from California, as he recalled being a school-aged youngster when polio was nonetheless a menace, “Your harmful conspiracy theories are undermining secure and efficient vaccines.”
Final yr, the U.S recorded greater than 2,200 measles instances and will simply surpass that this yr, with greater than 1,700 infections recorded to this point.
In a single notably tense change, Rep. Linda Sánchez, a Democrat from California, pressed Kennedy on the loss of life of an unvaccinated youngster from measles throughout an outbreak in Texas final yr. When she requested whether or not the measles vaccine may have saved the kid’s life, Kennedy replied: “It is attainable – actually.”
Sánchez went on to press Kennedy about his priorities, together with the CDC’s choice to finish a public consciousness marketing campaign to advertise the flu vaccine. NPR first reported on that call in February 2025.
“You suspended this pro-vaccine messaging marketing campaign, however in some way you are spending taxpayer {dollars} to drink milk, shirtless in a scorching tub with Child Rock?” Sánchez quipped, citing a latest, eyebrow-raising promotional video launched by HHS that depicts the 2 males understanding.
On the proposed finances, Rep. Gwen Moore, a Democrat from Wisconsin, requested concerning the sizable proposed cuts to the Particular Supplemental Vitamin Program for Ladies, Infants, and Kids, WIC, and Supplemental Vitamin Help Program, SNAP, and the way that conflicted with Kennedy’s targets to cut back charges of persistent illness in kids.
Kennedy mentioned “he was not glad” with the cuts.
Since taking up the job, Kennedy has pushed the thought of making a brand new company — the Administration for a Wholesome America, or AHA — by reorganizing and consolidating the Division of Well being and Human Providers.
This newest finances proposal requires establishing AHA.
Kennedy is scheduled to seem in entrance of one other Home committee at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday.
