Washington After a second confirmation hearing Thursday, it seemed likely that at least some Senate Republicans would vote against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination due to his views on vaccine safety, both past and present.
At the conclusion of the three-hour session, Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a doctor and the chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, stated that while he agrees with Kennedy that vaccinations should be safe and effective, the two approaches to their research are very different.
Having spoken with thousands of individuals about vaccinations, I am aware that mothers seek confirmation that the vaccine their kid is getting is essential, secure, and efficient. Cassidy stated, “The two of us agree on that point.” However, we’ve taken a different strategy. And I believe I can argue that you have addressed it by casting doubt on specific evidence, whereas I have approached it by relying on the majority of the evidence to comfort.
Cassidy and several other senators from both parties questioned Kennedy during the hearing over his past remarks, including the frequently refuted assertion that some vaccines cause autism.
Kennedy said he would apologize and reassure Americans about the measles and Hepatitis B vaccines if Cassidy could provide him with data proving their safety. Kennedy is President Donald Trump’s nominee for the highly influential position of secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Throughout the hearing, Cassidy referenced peer-reviewed research and talked about decades’ worth of safety evidence, but Kennedy never changed his mind.
Kennedy reiterated at his Thursday hearing that he simply wants to follow the research, but with some clarifications, remarks he made during his Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
Kennedy declared, “I’m not going to go into HHS and force my predetermined views on anybody at HHS.” I will enable the HHS scientists to carry out their duties and ensure that we have high-quality, reproducible, evidence-based science where the raw data is published.
On its website, the Autism Science Foundation states that autism spectrum disorder is a brain-based condition marked by limited and repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities as well as social-communication difficulties. Numerous genetic and environmental variables contribute to autism, according to the nonprofit that funds research into the condition’s causes.
These comprise both common and uncommon variations. According to the group, a particular gene mutation is responsible for about 15% of autism cases. Environmental factors that have been researched include age, hazardous substances, medications taken before and during pregnancy, diet and nutrition, and medical disorders in the parents.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont and ranking member of the HELP Committee, stated that he hoped Kennedy would be successful in decreasing obesity and ultra-processed foods. However, he stated that much more would be needed to genuinely improve the general health of Americans.
Sanders stated, “Unless we have the courage to take on the insurance companies and the drug companies that guarantee healthcare to all people, I’m not quite sure how we can move toward making America healthy again.”
According to him, additional legislative reforms are necessary to guarantee that individuals may lead healthy lives, such as paid family and medical leave.
Due to the lack of paid family and medical leave, some women today will return to work within a week or two after giving birth, Sanders stated. When women are compelled to return to the workforce, how can a nation be considered healthy? When men and women are fired for staying at home to care for their ailing children? That won’t restore America’s health.
Sanders claimed that when individuals are forced to work incredibly long hours and earn only $13 or $14 per hour, it is very difficult for them to find time for healthy living.
Another centrist Republican senator from Alaska, Lisa Murkowski, asked Kennedy how he would contribute to better health outcomes in Native American communities. Murkowski has not officially stated whether she will support Kennedy’s nomination.
“Our health statistics in this country are not where they need to be when you look at them, whether it’s American Indians or Alaska Natives,” Murkowski added. And it falls into every category. Sexually transmitted infections, TB, Hepatitis C, mental health issues, depression, substance abuse, hypertension, and stroke are all examples. It is extremely difficult, difficult, and profound.
Kennedy had previously stated that he would triple government spending on native towns, which Murkowski cited.
Kennedy stated during the hearing that he hoped to appoint a member of one of the Indigenous communities to the position of assistant secretary at HHS, but he made no commitments to increase money for the Indian Health Service or other initiatives aimed at assisting these people.
In order to make sure that every choice our agency makes takes into account how it will affect the First Nations, I would like to see him officially appointed as an assistant secretary, Kennedy stated.
Kennedy’s remarks regarding vaccine safety also caused Murkowski to voice concerns, stating that although some things need to be shook up, public health initiatives also need to be trusted.
In my state of Alaska, where a single disease epidemic may destroy a whole town, we have made significant progress in vaccinating the large number of individuals living in extremely rural locations, according to Murkowski. This was evident during the Spanish flu in 1918. Because of the fear of transmission, towns were completely closed during COVID, which is why everyone was rocked to their core.
Murkowski informed Kennedy that he was obviously an influencer and that, if he so chooses, he could use his platform to significantly help people.
“I’m asking you to concentrate on how you can use your position to give the public more confidence in these life-saving areas,” Murkowski added.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, a centrist who will run a fierce reelection campaign the next year, told Kennedy she shared his belief that the federal government should devote more time, resources, and effort to combating chronic illnesses like diabetes and Alzheimer’s.
However, I find it concerning when I hear a quote from you that reads, “God bless you all, NIH scientists.” I appreciate your public service. For around eight years, we will take a respite from infectious diseases, Collins stated. We must do both, don’t we?
Kennedy stated that while he completely agreed that scientists should concentrate on discovering cures for both types of illness and disease, he contended that not enough funding has been allocated to research into both.
Collins, the Senate Appropriations Committee chairwoman, attempted to remind Kennedy that Congress had the constitutional authority to allocate federal funds and control their use.
Collins cited a pediatric nurse in Maine who expressed concerns about the potential effects of a decline in childhood immunizations on other kids in their neighborhoods, particularly those who are unable to receive them due to allergies or other medical conditions.
“We will lose the herd immunity in a classroom if people are discouraged from getting their children vaccinated,” Collins added. This implies that a youngster who is immunocompromised and unable to receive a vaccination runs the danger of sharing a classroom with a child who is not vaccinated. And since we no longer have herd immunity, we are at risk of contracting the infectious disease.
Kennedy stated that he thought people no longer trusted vaccines to be safe, but he promised to present solid evidence if the Senate approved it.
Kennedy declared, “I’m going to rebuild trust, and that will restore vaccination uptake.”
Sen. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat from New Hampshire, engaged Kennedy in one of the hearing’s most acerbic exchanges, refuting the claims made by certain Republican senators who attacked Democrats for questioning Kennedy about his prior vaccine-related remarks.
Since some of you are new to the Senate and this committee, you might not be aware that I am the proud mother of a young man with severe cerebral palsy who is 36 years old, Hassan stated. And I never go a day without wondering: What could I have done during my pregnancy to trigger the hydrocephalus that has affected his life so much?
She added that many of her friends have children with autism, so please don’t imply that everybody in this body, regardless of political party, doesn’t want to know what causes autism.
I was blown away by that initial autism study, Mr. Kennedy. And like all mothers, I was concerned about whether my baby had actually been harmed by the vaccination, Hassan added. And what do you know? About 12 children participated in the small study. The scientific community eventually discovered that it was incorrect after conducting countless studies. Additionally, because science can be incorrect at times, the publication retracted the study. We advance. We increase our success by building on the effort. Furthermore, it prevents us from progressing if you keep casting doubt on accepted science. Thus, that is the issue at hand.
