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RFK Jr. Defends Trump Budget Cuts, Vaccines and Medicaid in Congress
Kennedy said the reductions are needed to trim the federal deficit as lawmakers questioned proposed NIH cuts, Medicaid changes and vaccine policy.
- On Wednesday, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. concluded budget hearings defending President Donald Trump's proposed 2027 budget, which seeks a more than 12% cut to the more than $100 billion HHS budget, including $5 billion from the National Institutes.
- Kennedy acknowledged the cuts were "painful" but said they were necessary to address the federal government's record $39 trillion deficit, a justification that drew concern from lawmakers across both parties about reduced funding for programs and research.
- Regarding Medicaid, Kennedy argued new work requirements do not constitute cuts, citing Congressional Budget Office data showing outlays increasing by about 47% over the next decade; experts dispute this analysis, saying it ignores inflation and population growth.
- Lawmakers pressed Kennedy on declining childhood vaccination rates and measles outbreaks over the past year, which he attributed to lost trust during the COVID-19 pandemic; Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina credited his leadership, saying "We would not be on the right side of this outbreak without your leadership."
- Disputing accusations that he is anti-vaccine, Kennedy described himself as "pro-science" and urged focus on HHS initiatives beyond vaccines, part of a broader administration pivot toward less controversial health topics like nutrition.
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Democrats and RFK Jr. Agree on These Issues
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has drawn the ire of Democrats in Congress. Multiple members called on him to resign during his seven-hearing marathon this month on Capitol Hill, and others said he is dangerous because of his skepticism of vaccines they say are established and life-saving. Not all the exchanges were contentious, though. Republicans largely praised Kennedy, a former Democrat, for his work over the past 14 months, and some …
RFK Jr.'s Medical Misery Tour
Houston, we have a blep. ‘One Goofy Cat’ by Guru Sno Studios, Creative Commons License 2.0On Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrapped up a string of seven (7) hearings with various House and Senate committees, ostensibly to explain and justify the Trump administration’s 2027 budget proposal, which would if adopted (and maybe if not — Congress is an afterthought now) shift massive amounts of federal spending to…
RFK Jr. Asks Dem”Why Are You Suddenly Worried About Sexual Abuse Of Children?”
This post was republished with permission from VigilantFo During a Senate Finance Committee hearing, regarding the Trump administration’s budget, Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden (OR) confronted HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about a news report of a 3-year-old girl being sexually abused in a foster home under an agency HHS oversees. Wyden pressed RFK Jr. on why he wasn’t personally aware of the specific case. Kennedy pushed back sharply, acknowle…
Vaccines, budget cuts, and affordability: Takeaways from RFK Jr.’s gauntlet of congressional hearings - The Boston Globe
In his testimony to various committees over multiple days this week and last, Kennedy was tasked with defending President Trump’s proposed 2027 budget.
RFK Jr. defends vaccine guidance, health spending cuts
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was back testifying on Capitol Hill, giving members of Congress a chance to press him on some of the biggest changes he's making on spending cuts, vaccines and other public health issues. Lisa Desjardins reports.
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