Kennedy’s bid to serve as America’s top health official may be decided by a handful of Republicans, including several senators who questioned him Thursday.

Kennedy Jr. faced skeptical senators Thursday in the second day of his confirmation hearing to lead the department of Health and Human Services, Louisiana's Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy confronted Kennedy about vaccines.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was pressed to clarify his views on vaccines, abortion, and public health priorities in his first Senate hearing.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. faced tough questions over vaccine skepticism and Medicaid reform at his confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Dr.

That almost messianic obsession — which arrogantly defies the weight of decades of science supporting the benefits of vaccines — should be enough to sink Kennedy’s nomination. But if they need more, senators should also be troubled by the nominee’s longstanding financial stake in suing the pharmaceutical companies that produce those vaccines.

“There are so many things about RFK Jr. that would seem to make him a Democratic appointee instead of a Republican one — but so much of that is overshadowed by his anti-vaccine views, which resonate with Republicans after the Covid experience,” said Larry Levitt, executive vice president at the health policy think tank KFF.

Polio, a disease that can cause lifelong paralysis, has been eliminated from the U.S. Experts fear a resurgence if lifesaving vaccines are revoked under the new administration

Sen. Bill Cassidy, the top Republican on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, concluded Thursday's hearing by saying he was "struggling" with the nomination due to Kennedy's vaccine positions. Kennedy notably refused to say vaccines don't cause autism as he faced pointed question from lawmakers.

Lawmakers are set to grill Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel, three of Trump’s most controversial Cabinet nominees.

What are the current CDC recommendations for vaccines? Here's the list from the government website as of Jan. 30, 2025.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s alternating views on vaccines, reproductive rights and public health issues were a central focus at his first confirmation hearing Wednesday, with Democratic senators expressing dismay at his nomination and Republicans signaling he’ll likely have their support.

Kennedy Jr. was pressed to clarify his views on vaccines, abortion and public health priorities in the first of two senate hearings as he tries to make the case to become President Donald Trump's health secretary.