Robert F Kennedy Jr, United States President , has come under attack for his views on vaccines at a contentious Senate confirmation hearing, with one senior Democrat saying he embraced conspiracy theories and "quacks" to dissuade use of life-saving medicines.
Critics argue he is dangerously unqualified, citing his promotion of debunked claims linking childhood vaccines to autism, his suggestion that HIV does not cause AIDS, and accusations that he fuelled anti-measles vaccine sentiment in Samoa during a 2019 visit, months before a deadly outbreak.
Kennedy sought to defend his record before the Senate finance committee on Wednesday (local time), which is responsible for advancing his nomination to the full Senate, promising he was not against vaccines.
"I believe that vaccines play a critical role in healthcare. All of my kids are vaccinated," said Kennedy, 70, who appeared at the hearing with his wife, Cheryl Hines and some of his children.
The environmental lawyer is seen as a controversial pick for health and human services secretary on both sides of the aisle and has been accused of spreading misinformation about the safety of vaccines.
What did senators say about Kennedy?
In an opening statement before the hearing, Democratic senator Ron Wyden said: "The receipts show that Mr Kennedy has embraced conspiracy theories, quacks (and) charlatans, especially when it comes to the safety and efficacy of vaccines. He has made it his life work to sow doubt and discourage parents from getting their kids lifesaving vaccines."
Kennedy responded: "News reports have claimed that I am anti-vaccine and anti-industry — I am neither. I am pro-safety."
During their questioning, Democratic senators brought up a string of past statements from Kennedy, including that no vaccine was safe and effective. They questioned other past Kennedy remarks made without evidence, including that COVID-19 was targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people, and that it was "highly likely" that Lyme disease was a military bioweapon.
Democratic senator Michael Bennet described Kennedy as someone who speaks with conviction but has a record that includes half-truths and false statements.
"It doesn't matter what you come here and say," Bennet said. "It's not reflective of what you really believe."
Outside the hearing, Republican senator Thom Tillis said he thought Kennedy was doing a "great job". Tillis was one of the senators that opposition groups were targeting to vote against Kennedy.
Republican senator Ron Johnson spoke in support of Kennedy during the hearing, thanking him and saying: "Can't we come together as a nation and do this?"
Multiple protesters interrupted Robert F Kennedy Jr's hearing. Source: AAP, SIPA USA / Graeme Sloan
During a line of questioning from Republican senator Bill Cassidy, Kennedy said he did not have a proposal for reforming the Medicaid program.
Kennedy has decried the US food industry for adding ingredients he says make Americans less healthy. During the hearing, he said fewer processed foods should be available in school lunches or for purchase with food stamps.
Both those programs fall under the purview of the US Department of Agriculture rather than the agency he would lead if confirmed.
Some Republicans' line of questioning was more pointed, including from senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa, who told Kennedy to leave agricultural practices to the appropriate agencies, namely the Department of Agriculture.
Healthcare coverage advocacy group Protect Our Care organised a rally against Kennedy ahead of the confirmation hearing, in which they displayed gravestones to represent deaths in 2019 in Samoa following a measles outbreak there.
The group says Kennedy visited the area and spread misinformation about vaccines, which fuelled the outbreak.
Caroline Kennedy, another member of the storied American political family, urged senators earlier this week to vote against her cousin's nomination, calling him a "predator" with "dangerous" views on healthcare.
On two separate occasions, protesters disrupted Kennedy's hearing. One shouted, "He lies", before being removed from the room, while another later said, "Vaccines save lives".
Some supporters of Kennedy, who founded the anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense, wore "Make America Healthy Again" hats.
"Americans are the sickest people on Earth," he declared during the hearing. "Why are we seeing these explosions in diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, neurological diseases, depression — all these things that are related to toxins in the environment?"
While most of the opposition to Kennedy is driven by his stance on vaccines, some Republicans also object to his comments in support of abortion rights, as well as his perceived stance against the pharmaceutical industry. During the hearing, Kennedy said he agreed with Trump that states should decide on access to abortion.
"I have never seen any major politician flip on that issue quite as quickly as you did when President Trump tapped you to become HHS secretary," senator Bernie Sanders said, noting Kennedy had until recently supported abortion rights.
Senator Bernie Sanders accused Robert F Kennedy Jr of "flipping" his stance on abortion after Donald Trump endorsed him for health secretary. Source: AAP, SIPA USA / Graeme Sloan
He has also stated that he exclusively drinks raw milk, claiming it "advances human health" — a stance he maintains even as bird flu spreads among US cattle and has been shown to contaminate unpasteurised milk.
Kennedy says he wants to work to end chronic disease, break any ties between employees at the US drugs regulator and industry, and .
What happens next?
To get to the US Senate for a vote on his nomination, Kennedy needs to have two committee hearings.
Having now completed his confirmation hearing from the finance committee, Kennedy will next face the health, education, labour and pensions committee this week. The committees will then vote on his nomination for it to pass over to the Senate for consideration.
The Republican-controlled Senate has not rejected any of Trump's nominees so far.
Trump's defence secretary pick, Pete Hegseth, squeaked by in a 51-50 vote after vice president JD Vance was needed to break a tie last week, despite concerns that the nominee was not qualified for the position and allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse.
Kennedy needs the support of at least 50 senators, which would allow Vance to cast another tie-breaking vote and confirm his nomination if needed.
