Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s record of questioning childhood vaccine safety came under fire from a key Republican at the Trump HHS pick's confirmation hearing.

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If approved, Kennedy will control a $1.7 trillion agency that oversees food and hospital inspections, hundreds of health clinics, vaccine recommendations and health insurance for roughly half the country.

GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy said he was "struggling" with Kennedy's nomination for health and human services secretary after repeatedly challenging his views on vaccines.

Alexandra Sifferlin, a health and science editor for Times Opinion, hosted an online conversation on Wednesday with the Opinion columnist Zeynep Tufekci and the Opinion writers David Wallace-Wells and Jessica Grose about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s first of two confirmation hearings for secretary of health and human services.

President-elect Donald Trump (R) announced author, lawyer, and 2024 presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his nominee for secretary of health and human services on November 14, 2024. This presidential appointment requires Senate confirmation.

The Kennedy scion is already well-known for pushing conspiracy theories and junk science, but Wednesday’s hearing revealed just how little he understands about the monumental job he might take on.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s controversial pick to lead Health and Human Services, testified before a Senate panel that is crucial to advance his nomination.

She described her cousin's basement, garage and dorm as being an epicenter for drug use, where he would also put baby chickens and mice in blenders to feed to his hawks.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has built his fortune and reputation on disparaging the government scientists and institutions he's now in line to lead as HHS secretary.

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