RFK Jr. Says He Backs Vaccines, Will Defer to President's Orders

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he supports vaccines and vowed to lessen the burden of chronic diseases during fiery questioning from senators who will decide whether to confirm him as President Trump's health secretary.

- By Liz Essley Whyte and Kristina Peterson

Members of the Senate's finance committee questioned Kennedy on the first of two days of testimony before a vote to install him as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

He can only afford to lose backing from three Republicans in the Senate unless some Democrats back him.

Kennedy said that he is most passionate about alleviating chronic diseases and that he would otherwise defer to Trump's orders.

Kennedy deflected some questions about abortion pills, Medicare drug-price negotiations and Medicaid cuts. And he rebutted claims that he opposes vaccines or would profit from working against them, despite his past activism raising doubts about the shots.

"The only thing I want is good science," Kennedy said.

Democrats questioned vast whether Kennedy had the management experience to lead an organization with the health department's reach. It spends more than $1.7 trillion annually on the healthcare of millions of people, pandemic preparedness and scientific research.

Kennedy is a lawyer, environmental activist and scion of the Kennedy clan whose colorful life was a recurring feature of his confirmation hearing. Senators entered into the record a letter from his cousin Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F. Kennedy, calling her cousin an unqualified conspiracy theorist.

"Bobby is addicted to attention and power. Bobby preys on the desperation of parents of sick children," Caroline Kennedy wrote.