Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will take center stage on Wednesday and Thursday as he testifies before the Senate as President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).The hearings will take place before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee on Thursday.Why It MattersIf confirmed, Kennedy would lead the HHS, an agency with a $1.7 trillion budget overseeing food and hospital inspections, vaccine recommendations, and health insurance for millions of Americans.Kennedy’s nomination by Trump has drawn scrutiny from Republicans and Democrats due to his views on vaccines and health policy.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr,, President Donald Trump’s pick to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, in Washington D.C., January 9, 2025.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr,, President Donald Trump’s pick to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, in Washington D.C., January 9, 2025.
Aaron Schwarz/Sipa USA via AP
What Time Is the Robert Kennedy Jr. Confirmation Hearing?The first hearing is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday before the Senate Finance Committee in Room G-50 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.The second hearing is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET on Thursday before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee in Room 562 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.How To Watch RFK Jr.’s Confirmation Hearing LiveTo watch Kennedy’s confirmation hearing, viewers can look to the Senate Finance Committee website on Wednesday and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee website on Thursday.C-SPAN and a plethora of broadcast and cable media outlets will broadcast live what is likely to be a contentious confirmation hearing on television.Several outlets, including CNN, ABC and PBS News will livestream the hearing on YouTube.What To Expect From RFK Jr.’s Confirmation HearingKennedy, an environmental lawyer before entering politics full-time, has said he wants to crack down on a range of pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that are currently legal. He believes these are poisoning the environment, the food supply, and the American people.While he is sure to face questions on his intention to outlaw various chemicals to transform the food supply, Kennedy is also likely to be quizzed about his views on vaccines, abortion policy, and removing fluoride from drinking water.Senators from both parties are expected to scrutinize his ability to lead the HHS given his history of remarks that have drawn condemnation from public health experts and scientists. Senator Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, clashed with Kennedy in December.The New York Times reported that lawyer Aaron Siri, who is assisting Kennedy in vetting potential HHS officials, filed a petition in 2022 on behalf of the Informed Consent Action Network to pull approval of the polio vaccine, which would effectively outlaw the intervention.McConnel responded: “Anyone seeking the Senate’s consent to serve in the incoming Administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts.”Who Will Be Questioning RFK Jr. at the Confirmation Hearing?The hearings will be led by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., on Wednesday and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy, R-La., on Thursday.Republican Senator James Lankford, a member of the Finance Committee, is expected to question Kennedy about his stance on abortion.Key Issues Likely to Be Discussed in RFK Jr.’s Confirmation HearingKennedy’s position on vaccines is expected to be a central focus of the hearings.Kennedy has said he is not against all vaccines. He is on leave as the chair of the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense and has repeated the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism. He also told podcaster Lex Fridman that there are “no” safe and effective vaccines, breaking from the overwhelming scientific consensus.He has said he would not ban vaccines if confirmed, previously telling MSNBC that “if vaccines are working for somebody, I’m not going to take them away.”Abortion policy is another key topic, with Kennedy facing concerns from conservative senators over how he would manage federal health funding related to reproductive services.In a May 2024 interview, Kennedy told podcaster Sage Steele that he was in favor of abortion rights “even if it’s full-term,” arguing that the decision should be that of “the women rather than the state.”However, a week later, Kennedy said in a statement shared on social media that he believes “abortion should be unrestricted” only until “the baby is viable outside the womb.”
