Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for health secretary, appeared before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday for a heated confirmation hearing. The nephew of the late 35th president of the United States defended his controversial views on medicine and well-being, targeting the medical establishment for what he calls a “chronic disease epidemic.” Opponents argued that Kennedy peddles “radical, fringe conspiracies,” which have been “lucrative for him and put him on the verge of immense power.”
“Today, Americans’ overall health is in grievous condition,” Kennedy stated during his opening remarks. “Over 70% of adults and a third of children are overweight or obese. Diabetes is ten times more prevalent than it was during the 1960s. Cancer among young people is rising by one or two percent a year.”
“In my advocacy, I have often disturbed the status quo by asking uncomfortable questions,” he added. “Well, I’m not going to apologize for that. We have massive health problems in this country that we must face honestly. And the first thing I’ve done every morning for the past 20 years is to get on my knees and pray to God that He would put me in a position to end the chronic disease epidemic and to help America’s children.”
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Ranking Member Senator Ron Wyden led the charge against Kennedy, raising questions about his conflicting statements on vaccines. Additionally, Wyden slammed the administration after reports surfaced that Medicaid portals across all 50 states were shut down on Tuesday due to Trump’s funding freeze.
“After a careful review of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s statements, actions, and views — materials that I have reviewed personally and closely — I have reached the conclusion that he should not be entrusted with the health and well-being of the American people,” Wyden determined.
Other Democrat opponents shared concerns about the nominee’s position on abortion. Kennedy, who has historically described himself as pro-choice, stated he agrees with President Trump “that every abortion is a tragedy.”
While critics claimed he appears willing to amend his position on any topic (including drug prices, climate change, etc.) to please Trump, Kennedy countered that “if we don’t solve” the American health crisis “all other disputes… are moving deckchairs on the Titanic.”
“Our ship is sinking,” he asserted.
Pro-life Republicans, who appeared satisfied with Kennedy’s stance on health issues, pushed for assurances that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would align with Trump’s pro-life agenda. Ahead of the hearing, Senator Josh Hawley revealed that Kennedy had agreed to appoint only pro-life deputies, block Title X funding to organizations promoting abortion, and reinstate conscience protections for healthcare providers.
“He told me he believes there are far too many abortions in the US and that we cannot be the moral leader of the free world with abortion rates so high,” Hawley wrote.
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When asked why he believes Americans are disproportionately sick, Kennedy singled out “the switch to highly chemical-intensive, processed foods.”
“We have 10,000 ingredients in our country,” he argued. “Europeans have only 400. If you buy McDonald’s french fries in our country, there’s 11 ingredients — my understanding — in Europe, there’s only three. If you buy Fruit Loops in our country, they’re loaded with food dies…. The same company makes the same product with different ingredients for Canada and Europe.”
“We need to get a handle on this because, if we don’t, it’s an existential threat,” he continued. “Our country is not going to be destroyed because we get the marginal tax rate wrong or because we get one of these culture war issues that we’ve been talking about today wrong. It’s going to be destroyed if we continue down this trajectory of chronic disease.”
The Senate Finance Committee adjourned after over three hours of heated debate and questioning. Assuming all 47 Senate Democrats oppose Kennedy in his forthcoming confirmation vote, the embattled nominee can only afford to lose four Republicans. Follow the Convention of States blog for future updates.
Watch the full confirmation hearing below!
