Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spent the weekend speaking with Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., who could effectively stop his confirmation process for secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in its tracks.
The Louisiana senator’s office confirmed Sunday evening that the two men had been speaking that day.
Cassidy is a doctor and also one of the few remaining Republican senators who voted to convict President Donald Trump for allegedly inciting the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.
SEN. TILLIS OPENS UP ABOUT ROLE IN PETE HEGSETH’S CONFIRMATION AFTER HEGSETH’S EX-SISTER-IN-LAW’S ALLEGATIONS
Sen. Bill Cassidy, left, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke over the weekend ahead of his crucial committee vote.(Reuters/Getty Images)
His vote on the 27-member Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday could decide whether Kennedy’s nomination to be Trump’s HHS secretary moves forward to the Senate floor or is left to potentially die in committee.
Cassidy has yet to indicate how he plans to vote on the nomination. During one of Kennedy’s hearings last week, he admitted, “I have been struggling with your nomination.”
He explained that there are areas of alignment between them, but that his criticism and claims regarding vaccination have given him pause.
“But if there is someone that is not vaccinated because of policies or attitudes you bring to the department and there is another 18-year-old who dies of a vaccine-preventable disease, helicoptered away, God forbid dies, it’ll be blown up in the press,” Cassidy said.
DEMS DISMISS CALLS FOR APOLOGY AFTER JEFFRIES VOWS ‘FIGHT’ AGAINST TRUMP AGENDA ‘IN THE STREETS’
Sen. Bill Cassidy is a doctor.(Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“The greatest tragedy will be her death, but I can also tell you an associated tragedy that will cast a shadow over President Trump’s legacy, which I want to be the absolute best legacy it can be.”
He added that this was his “dilemma,” and foreshadowed their conversations, saying, “you may be hearing from me over the weekend.”
Representatives for Cassidy and Kennedy did not divulge specifics of their conversations.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had two confirmation hearings last week.(Getty Images)
Whether he was decided yet on how he will vote, Cassidy’s office declined to comment.
Kennedy has managed to get the support of other sometimes hesitant lawmakers, such as Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., who said on X, “[Kennedy’s] unique leadership on healthy lifestyle choices will benefit countless Americans, and he understands the critical importance of rebuilding trust in our public health institutions.”
“I’ve also received assurances from him that strong pro-life policies will continue to be reinstituted at HHS under his leadership,” Young wrote. “We spoke extensively about the importance of supporting innovation in health care to both bring down costs and improve treatment. I look forward to working with him to make positive changes for the American people.”
ELIZABETH WARREN GRILLED RFK JR ON DRUG COMPANY MONEY, BUT RECEIVED OVER $5M FROM HEALTH INDUSTRY
Sen. Todd Young endorsed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ahead of the vote.(Alex Wong)
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Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., did not fully endorse Kennedy either but said he was pleased with his hearing and indicated the nominee was on the right track.
Kennedy will likely need the support of every Republican on the committee, assuming he does not receive any Democratic support. No committee Democrats have come out to say they will back him. The committee vote will take place Tuesday morning.
Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services is “not a slam dunk,” as President Donald Trump’s nominee works to shore up support.
In an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Fetterman said he has met with Kennedy twice in his office and that whatever his decision ends up being on the HHS nominee, it will be “an informed view.”
“I’ve invested a lot of time to really understand his background and to learn more about the man,” Fetterman said, adding: “I approached with an open mind and I watched the hearing. And that’s how the process works.”
TRUMP HEALTH SECRETARY NOMINEE RFK JR SURVIVES HEATED HEARINGS AHEAD OF CRUCIAL CONFIRMATION VOTES
Sen. John Fetterman during the 60th presidential inauguration in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2025.(Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Asked if he’s reached a decision on whether he’ll vote “yay” or “nay” for Kennedy, Fetterman said he has spoken to colleagues on both sides regarding the matter.
“It’s been challenging for sure. Absolutely. It’s certainly not a slam dunk for the nomination,” Fetterman told “Fox News Sunday” host Shannon Bream.
“I’ve made an investment to really understand and talk to all of the nominees, and I treated everyone with respect and I took the time to listen, and that’s been part of my commitment,” he added.
Kennedy, a lifelong Democrat who switched his presidential campaign against Biden to run as an Independent before ultimately dropping from the race to back Trump, made it through back-to-back grillings by the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday and the Health Committee on Thursday. He still faces crucial committee and full Senate confirmation votes in his mission to lead 18 powerful federal agencies that oversee the nation’s food and health.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., testifies during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.(AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
VP VANCE MAKES CONFIRMATION PREDICTIONS FOR GABBARD, PATEL AND RFK, JR: ‘HAVE TO FIGHT FOR EACH ONE’
Most of the tough questions and sparring over his stances on vaccines, abortion, Medicaid and other issues came from Democrats on the two committees, but Thursday’s hearing ended with the top Republican on the Health panel saying he was “struggling” with Kennedy’s nomination.
“Your past of undermining confidence in vaccines with unfounded or misleading arguments concerns me,” Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., told the nominee.
The physician from Louisiana, who is a crucial vote and who has voiced concerns over Kennedy’s past stance on vaccines, asked whether Kennedy can “be trusted to support the best public health.” The senator told Kennedy, who seeks to lead key health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, that “you may be hearing from me over the weekend.”
Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert Kennedy Jr. walks to a meeting with Sen. John Fetterman on Capitol Hill on Jan. 9, 2025.(Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Kennedy, whose outspoken views on the pharmaceutical and food industries have also sparked controversy, has said he aims to shift the focus of the agencies he would oversee toward promotion of a healthy lifestyle, including overhauling dietary guidelines, taking aim at ultra-processed foods and getting to the root causes of chronic diseases.
A strong pro-life advocate, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told “Fox News Sunday” that he is supporting Kennedy despite the nominee’s past comments saying he supported codifying Roe v. Wade and abortion “even if it’s full term.”
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“I am now OK to supporting RFK Jr. because I think during the course of the hearing he’s committed to a Republican pro-life agenda, President Trump’s pro-life agenda,” Graham said when asked about those specific past remarks from Kennedy. “So I will take him at his word. I’m comfortable with what he said on the pro-life issue. He has been radically pro-choice as a person. But I do believe that as secretary, he will implement a pro-life agenda that will be pushed by President Trump. I will be a yes, but I’ll also watch every move he makes.”
Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
Danielle Wallace is a breaking news and politics reporter at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on X: @danimwallace.
The top Republican on the Senate health committee, Sen. Bill Cassidy, faced criticism from fellow Republicans after he suggested his vote for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary is not a lock.
Cassidy, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, said during closing remarks at Kennedy’s second confirmation hearing of the week that he was “struggling” to confirm the HHS secretary nominee over his inability to admit vaccines are safe and don’t cause autism. “A worthy movement called ‘MAHA,’” Cassidy said Thursday, “to improve the health of Americans, or to undermine it, always asking for more evidence, and never accepting the evidence that is there … That is why I’ve been struggling with your nomination.”
GOP Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., did not hold back his anger over Cassidy’s remarks, saying, “RFK is going to run HHS whether you like it or not.” The post included a photo of Cassidy and Kennedy shaking hands at Thursday’s confirmation hearing.
TOP REPUBLICAN ON SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE SAYS HE’S ‘STRUGGLING’ TO CONFIRM RFK JR
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., center, President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services, talks with Committee Chairman Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., left, following his testimony during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing for his pending confirmation on Capitol Hill on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington, D.C.( AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
“The Senate is ours, and the moment Trump decides he’s had enough of random senators delaying our mission, JD [Vance] is walking in and taking the gavel as president of the Senate,” Higgins said. Vice President JD Vance would be the tie-breaking vote if the resulting tally goes along party lines and Cassidy and two other Republicans defect. Vance did so after GOP Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine voted against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s nomination.
“There’s zero you can do about that,” Higgins said. “We, the people, will not be stopped. We’re saving the country and RFK is part of the formula. So, vote your conscience, senator, or don’t. Either way, we’re watching.”
TRUMP HEALTH SECRETARY NOMINEE RFK JR SURVIVES HEATED HEARINGS AHEAD OF CRUCIAL CONFIRMATION VOTES
GOP organizer and strategist Scott Presler said that if Cassidy did not vote for Kennedy, that he would “personally come to Louisiana” to organize a primary challenge against Cassidy in an effort to oust him. “We already have a home base in Iberia Parish,” Pressler said. Meanwhile, a chapter of the Louisiana Republican Assembly replied to Pressler’s threats, noting they were “ready to mobilize when needed.”
GOP Activist Scott Presler speaks to Republicans at a victory party following President Donald Trump’s election win that same month.
Charlie Kirk, another GOP organizer and activist who is also a close ally of President Donald Trump, shared a slightly more measured condemnation of Cassidy. “I believe this was a sincere moment from Chairman Bill Cassidy,” Kirk wrote in response to the senator’s closing remarks at Thursday’s hearing. However, Kirk added that he “respectfully” thinks that Cassidy “has this backwards.”
“Many already don’t trust vaccine manufacturers who enjoy legal immunity for any injuries they cause. Many already don’t trust our big food producers and the ingredients they use. Many already don’t trust big medicine, big hospitals, or big pharma,” Kirk said. “RFK Jr. has said repeatedly he’s pro-vaccine, but he’s willing to ask the same questions millions of parents are asking right now about ramped-up vaccine schedules, harmful ingredients, and a blind trust in the manufacturers that are enriched by government mandates, even after COVID.”
RFK JR RIPS DEM SENATOR FOR PUSHING ‘DISHONEST’ NARRATIVE ON PAST VACCINE COMMENTS: ‘CORRECTED IT MANY TIMES’
While Republicans were incensed by Cassidy’s remarks, the president of Advancing American Freedom (AAF), a conservative nonprofit founded by Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence, applauded Cassidy’s critical approach to Kennedy’s nomination.
Then-Vice President Mike Pence receives a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine shot at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building while still serving as vice president during President Donald Trump’s first term in office.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
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“It’s refreshing to see senators taking their advise and consent role seriously,” AAF President Tim Chapman said when asked about Cassidy’s comments. “We have separate branches of government for a reason, and nominees, such as RFK, who will be handling the largest amount of taxpayer dollars and controlling the federal response to the life issue deserve serious consideration. Every senator must treat this nominee with the same gravitas that Senator Cassidy is.”
Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for Cassidy but did not receive a response by publication time.
Dr. Peter McCullough tells ‘The Evening Edit’ his takeaways from Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s Senate confirmation hearing.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., pressed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to make commitments that he would not seek to profit off of drug companies or lawsuits related to them after working in the Trump administration, if he is confirmed as Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary.
However, the Massachusetts Democrat herself raked in roughly $5 million from the health industry during her presidential bid in 2020.
“Will you commit that when you leave this job, you will not accept compensation from a drug company, a medical device company, a hospital system, or a health insurer for at least four years, including as a lobbyist or a board member?” Warren asked Kennedy during his hearing before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday.
‘OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC’: BIPARTISAN SENATORS TARGET FENTANYL CLASSIFICATION AS LAPSE APPROACHES
Sen. Elizabeth Warren questioned Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about taking money from drug companies or lawsuits. (Reuters)
“I’m happy to commit to that,” President Trump’s nominee for secretary of HHS told her. “I don’t think any of them want to give me money, by the way.”
Warren continued, asking Kennedy to promise he would not “take any compensation from any lawsuits against drug companies while you are secretary and for four years afterward” either.
“You won’t go to work for a drug company after you leave HHS, but you and I both know there’s another way to make money,” the senator told him.
TENSION BUILDS AROUND TULSI GABBARD’S CONFIRMATION WITH KEY GOP SENATORS UNDECIDED
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services, returns to his seat following a break during his Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Jan. 29, 2025 (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Kennedy pushed back on this, suggesting, “You’re asking me to not sue drug companies,” which he said he would not agree to.
Despite requesting these assurances from Trump’s HHS nominee, Warren notably received about $5 million from the healthcare sector and associated industries during her failed presidential bid.
SCOOP: KEY GOP SENATOR WHO HESITATED ON PETE HEGSETH PUSHES KASH PATEL FOR FBI
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he did not think drug companies would want to give him money. (IStock / iStock)
She was given $2,366,613 by health professionals, $1,600,888 by hospitals and nursing homes, $644,499 from miscellaneous health industries and $625,580 from the pharmaceuticals and health products industry, according to OpenSecrets.
Her office did not provide comment to Fox News Digital in time for publication.
‘SQUEEZED BY RISING COSTS’: DEMOCRAT JACKY ROSEN LEADS BIPARTISAN BILL TO ADDRESS CHILDCARE AFFORDABILITY
Sen. Elizabeth Warren took more than $5 million from the health industry. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
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Warren is not the only senator who has taken significant contributions from these industries. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., received more than $200,000 during the 2024 election cycle and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., took upwards of $360,000 in 2022. They are both members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
The back-to-back combustible Senate confirmation hearings are over.
But Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), still faces crucial committee and full Senate confirmation votes in his mission to lead 18 powerful federal agencies that oversee the nation’s food and health.
Testifying in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday and the Health Committee on Thursday, the vaccine skeptic and environmental crusader who ran for the White House in 2024 before ending his bid and endorsing Trump faced plenty of verbal fireworks over past controversial comments.
And while most of the tough questions and sparring over his stances on vaccines, abortion, Medicaid and other issues, came from Democrats on the two committees, Thursday’s hearing ended with the top Republican on the Health panel saying he was “struggling” with Kennedy’s nomination.
RFK’S CONFIRMATION HEARING QUICK GOES OFF THE RAILS
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee for HHS secretary, testifies during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions confirmation hearing on Jan. 30, 2025.(AP Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr.)
“Your past of undermining confidence in vaccines with unfounded or misleading arguments concerns me,” GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy told the nominee.
The physician from Louisiana, who is a crucial vote and who has voiced concerns over Kennedy’s past stance on vaccines, asked whether Kennedy can “be trusted to support the best public health.”
And the senator told Kennedy, who seeks to lead key health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, that “you may be hearing from me over the weekend.”
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Kennedy faced two days of grilling over his controversial past comments, including his repeated claims in recent years linking vaccines to autism, which have been debunked by scientific research.
And Democrats have also spotlighted Kennedy’s service for years as chair or chief legal counsel for Children’s Health Defense, the nonprofit organization he founded that has advocated against vaccines and sued the federal government numerous times, including a challenge over the authorization of the COVID vaccine for children.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during the confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Jan. 30, 2025.(AP Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr.)
One of Thursday’s most heated exchanges came as independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont pushed Kennedy over his past of linking vaccines to autism.
Sanders stated that “vaccines do not cause autism” and asked Kennedy “do you agree with that?”
After the nominee didn’t answer, Sanders responded, “I asked you a simple question, Bobby.”
Kennedy replied, “Senator, if you show me those studies, I will absolutely … apologize.”
“That is a very troubling response because the studies are there. Your job was to have looked at those studies as an applicant for this job,” Sanders said.
Later in the hearing, the two also clashed over political contributions to the pharmaceutical industry, with Kennedy referring to Sanders simply as “Bernie.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies during his confirmation hearing on Jan. 30, 2025.(AP Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr.)
“Almost all the members of this panel, including yourself, are accepting millions of dollars from the pharmaceutical industry and protecting their interests,” Kennedy said.
Sanders immediately pushed back, “I ran for president like you. I got millions and millions of contributions. They did not come from the executives, not one nickel of PAC [political action committee] money from the pharmaceutical [companies]. They came from workers.”
Another fiery moment came as Democrat Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire appeared to fight back tears as she noted her son’s struggles with cerebral palsy amid accusations that “partisanship” was behind the Democrats’ blistering questions to Kennedy.
Hassan, who at Wednesday’s hearing charged that Kennedy “sold out” to Trump by altering his position on abortion, on Thursday accused the nominee of “relitigating settled science.”
But many of the Republicans on the panel came to Kennedy’s defense, including conservative Sen. Rand Paul.
The ophthalmologist from Kentucky defended Kennedy and took aim at comments about vaccines not causing autism.
“We don’t know what causes autism, so we should be more humble,” Paul said to applause from Kennedy supporters in the committee room audience wearing “Make America Healthy Again” garb.
The 71-year-old Kennedy, a scion of the nation’s most storied political dynasty, launched a long-shot campaign for the Democrat presidential nomination against President Joe Biden in April 2023. But six months later, he switched to an independent run for the White House.
Kennedy made major headlines again last August when he dropped his presidential bid and endorsed Trump. While Kennedy had long identified as a Democrat and repeatedly invoked his late father, former Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and his late uncle, former President John F. Kennedy – who were both assassinated in the 1960s – Kennedy in recent years built relationships with far-right leaders due in part to his high-profile vaccine skepticism.
Trump announced soon after the November election that he would nominate Kennedy to his Cabinet to run HHS.
Now-President Donald Trump welcomes Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the stage at a campaign rally on Oct. 23, 2024, in Duluth, Ga.(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Kennedy, whose outspoken views on Big Pharma and the food industry have also sparked controversy, has said he aims to shift the focus of the agencies he would oversee toward promotion of a healthy lifestyle, including overhauling dietary guidelines, taking aim at ultra-processed foods and getting to the root causes of chronic diseases.
“Our country is not going to be destroyed because we get the marginal tax rate wrong. It is going to be destroyed if we get this issue wrong,” Kenendy said Thursday as he pointed to chronic diseases. “And I am in a unique position to be able to stop this epidemic.”
The Finance Committee, which will decide on whether to send Kennedy’s nomination to the full Senate, has yet to schedule a date for a confirmation vote.
With Republicans controlling the Senate by a 53-47 majority, Kennedy can only afford to lose the support of three GOP senators if Democrats unite against his confirmation.
And besides Cassidy, two other Republicans on the Health Committee – Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska – are potential “no” votes on Kennedy.
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Collins on Thursday questioned Kennedy about vaccines, herd immunity as well as his views on Lyme disease. Kenendy pledged that there’s “nobody who will fight harder for a treatment for Lyme disease.”
A 50-50 vote in the full Senate would force Vice President JD Vance to serve as the tiebreaker to push the Kennedy nomination over the top, as the vice president did last week with the confirmation of another controversial nominee, now-Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in New Hampshire.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is back on Capitol Hill for a second day of Senate confirmation hearings after a grilling by Democrats during a contentious first day on Wednesday.
Kennedy will take questions on Thursday in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
On Wednesday, in front of the Senate Finance Committee, which will vote on Kennedy’s confirmation, there were plenty of verbal fireworks over past controversial comments by the vaccine skeptic and environmental crusader who ran for the White House in 2024 before ending his bid and endorsing Trump.
But Kennedy’s uneven performance didn’t appear to do damage to his confirmation, as no Republican on the panel voiced opposition to his nomination to lead 18 powerful federal agencies that oversee the nation’s food and health. Those agencies include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
MULTIPLE OUTBURSTS AT COMBUSTIBLE RFK JR CONFIRMATION HEARING
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his nomination to be HHS secretary on Jan. 29, 2025.(Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
Democrats on the committee repeatedly pointed to Kennedy’s controversial vaccine views, including his repeated claims in recent years linking vaccines to autism, which have been debunked by scientific research.
They also spotlighted Kennedy’s service for years as chair or chief legal counsel for Children’s Health Defense, the nonprofit organization he founded that has advocated against vaccines and sued the federal government numerous times, including a challenge over the authorization of the COVID vaccine for children.
“Mr. Kennedy has embraced conspiracy theories, quacks and charlatans, especially when it comes to the safety and efficacy of vaccines. He’s made it his life’s work to sow doubt and discourage parents from getting their kids life-saving vaccines,” Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrat on the panel, charged in his opening statement.
WATCH: RFK JR WARNS THAT AMERICA’S HEALTH IS IN ‘GRIEVIOUS CONDITION’
The senator also pointed to past Kennedy vaccine comments in podcasts, including one from 2020 when he said he would “pay anything” to be able to go back in time and not vaccinate his kids.
“Are you lying to Congress today when you say you are pro-vaccine? Or did you lie on all those podcasts?” Wyden asked.
Pushing back in a heated exchange, Kennedy said the statements he made on podcasts have “been repeatedly debunked.”
And he vowed he would do nothing to prevent Americans from obtaining certain vaccines.
“I support the measles vaccine. I support the polio vaccine. I will do nothing as HHS secretary that makes it difficult or discourages people from taking anything,” Kennedy said.
Democrat Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado accused Kennedy of “peddling half-truths, peddling false statements.”
RFK JR ACCUSES DEMOCRATS OF PUSHING DISHONEST NARRATIVE
And Democrat Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, who has known Kennedy for decades, dating back to their days as law school students and roommates at the University of Virginia, told his friend, “Frankly, you frighten people.”
Kennedy was also heckled multiple times near the start of the hearing.
As Kennedy delivered his opening comments and said, “News reports have claimed that I am anti-vaccine or anti-industry. I am neither. I am pro-safety,” a protester shouted, “You lie.”
The heckler was led out of the hearing room by Capitol Police, as was a second protester minutes later.
And another protester was spotted in the audience holding a sign reading, “Vaccines Save Lives, No RFK JR.”
A protester holds up a sign reading, “Vaccines save lives,” as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies during his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 29, 2025.(Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
The 71-year-old Kennedy, a scion of the nation’s most storied political dynasty, launched a long-shot campaign for the Democrat presidential nomination against President Joe Biden in April 2023. But six months later, he switched to an independent run for the White House.
Kennedy made major headlines again last August when he dropped his presidential bid and endorsed Trump. While Kennedy had long identified as a Democrat and repeatedly invoked his late father, former Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and his late uncle, former President John F. Kennedy – who were both assassinated in the 1960s – Kennedy in recent years built relationships with far-right leaders due in part to his high-profile vaccine skepticism.
Trump announced soon after the November election that he would nominate Kennedy to his Cabinet to run HHS.
Now-President Donald Trump welcomes Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the stage at a campaign rally on Oct. 23, 2024, in Duluth, Ga.(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
In the two months since Trump’s announcement, it’s not just Democrats who’ve raised questions about Kennedy’s confirmation. Social conservative Republicans took issue with his past comments in support of abortion rights.
“My belief is we should leave it to the woman. We shouldn’t have the government involved, even if it’s full term,” Kennedy said as he ran for president.
But since endorsing Trump, Kennedy has walked back his stance on abortion. And in an exchange Wednesday with Democrat Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Kennedy said, “I agree with President Trump that every abortion is a tragedy.”
Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a former two-time Democrat presidential candidate, argued that Kennedy made a “major U-turn” on abortion.
Kennedy was also questioned about how he would reform Medicare and Medicaid, the massive government healthcare programs used by millions of older, disabled and low-income Americans.
“I don’t have a broad proposal for dismantling the program,” Kennedy said of Medicaid.
And he said Trump hadn’t asked him to cut the program but rather “asked me to make it better.”
Kennedy, whose outspoken views on Big Pharma and the food industry have also sparked controversy, vowed that “if confirmed, I will do everything in my power to put the health of Americans back on track.”
While Democrats may find common ground with Kennedy’s aim to shift the focus of the agencies he would oversee toward promotion of a healthy lifestyle, including overhauling dietary guidelines, taking aim at ultra-processed foods and getting to the root causes of chronic diseases, Kennedy lamented that they oppose him because he’s Trump’s nominee.
“Now they’re against me because anything that President Trump does, any decision he makes, has to be lampooned, derided, discredited, marginalized, vilified,” Kennedy said.
RFK JR LIKELY TO BE CONFIRMED AS HEALTH SECRETARY, FOX NEWS MEDICAL ANALYST PREDICTS
With Republicans controlling the Senate by a 53-47 majority, Kennedy can only afford to lose the support of three GOP senators if Democrats unite against his confirmation. During Wednesday’s hearing, no Republicans appeared to oppose the nomination.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina appeared to lean into the Democrats’ attacks on Kennedy by asking, “I got a real quick question for you: Are you a conspiracy theorist?”
Kennedy answered that it “is a pejorative that’s applied to me mainly to keep me from asking difficult questions of powerful interests.”
GOP Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, a chemical engineer, noted that there were several Republican doctors on the committee.
“We believe in science. I’m thankful that you do, too,” Daines said.
Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician who said he had a “frank conversation” with Kennedy about immunizations when they met this month, didn’t ask about vaccines during the committee hearing. Instead, he kept his questions about federal healthcare programs, including Medicare.
Meanwhile, GOP Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin took aim at Democrats on the committee for what he claimed was “hostility on the other side. … I’m disappointed with it.”
Following Wednesday’s hearing, Democrats kept up their criticism.
“I think you saw today that he’s not backing down from any of his really crazy, loony conspiracy beliefs,” Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut told reporters.
And Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who is thought to be one of the few Democrats who may support Kennedy’s confirmation, said, “I don’t think it went well for him.”
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But GOP Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas, who sits on the Finance Committee, pointed to Democrats on the panel and said, “I understand their concerns about vaccines. I think Bobby put those concerns to bed.”
And Republican Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana told reporters that Kennedy “did great today. I expect him to do great tomorrow.”
Conservatives on social media rallied around Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on social media on Wednesday as the Trump nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) faced questions from senators in his confirmation hearing.
“RFK crushed it,” conservative commentator Charlie Kirk posted on X. “Very proud of him. Confirm him, now!”
“RFK killed it today,” RNC national committeewoman Amy Kremer posted on X.” So proud of him! LFG.”
“RFK Jr is crushing this hearing,” Former GOP Congressman Scott Taylor posted on X. “Dems look unhinged and very petty. America is sicker, more obese, and more unhealthy than ever. Something has to change!”
‘WHAT A JACKA–‘: CONSERVATIVES HAMMER DEM SENATOR’S ‘DRONING MONOLOGUE’ DURING RFK JR HEARING
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies during his Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on January 29, 2025(Getty Images)
“The room ERUPTED in applause IMMEDIATELY after RFK Jr’s confirmation hearing concluded,” conservative commentator Benny Johnson posted on X. “Confirm him.”
Former NCAA swimmer and conservative commentator Riley Gaines posted on X that “the Dems embarrassed themselves today.”
RFK JR RIPS DEM SENATOR FOR PUSHING ‘DISHONEST’ NARRATIVE ON PAST VACCINE COMMENTS: ‘CORRECTED IT MANY TIMES’
President Donald Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr. sits in a meeting with Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) on Capitol Hill on January 9, 2025 in Washington, DC.(Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
“Confirm RFK!!!!” Gaines wrote.
“Absolute masterclass,” Trump ‘2024 Deputy Rapid Response Director Greg Price posted on X during the hearing.
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Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla.(Evan Vucci/AP)
Verbal fireworks exploded minutes into the Senate Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday, the first of two straight days of congressional confirmation hearings for the controversial vaccine skeptic and environmental crusader who ran for the White House in 2024 before ending his bid and endorsing Trump.
Kennedy repeatedly insisted that he was not “anti-vaccine” and slammed multiple Democrat senators for pushing a “dishonest” narrative against him that he has “corrected” on national television many times. Democrats on the committee pointed to a slew of past comments from the nominee in which he questioned or disparaged COVID shots and other vaccines.
He returns to Capitol Hill on Thursday for a hearing in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. It’s considered a courtesy hearing as only the Senate Finance Committee will vote on Kennedy’s confirmation.
With Republicans controlling the Senate by a 53-47 majority, Kennedy can only afford to lose the support of three GOP senators if Democrats unite against his confirmation. During Wednesday’s hearing, no Republicans appeared to oppose the nomination.
Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to [email protected].
FOX Business correspondent Grady Trimble catches up with the former president after his campaign event in North Carolina on ‘The Evening Edit.’
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was grilled by senators over ideas for reforming Medicaid and Medicare on Wednesday during his first confirmation hearing as President Donald Trump’s nominee to become the next secretary of Health and Human Services.
In this role, RFK Jr. would have authority over the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which is responsible for the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Dr. Mehmet Oz was nominated by Trump to run the CMS.
During the Wednesday hearing, Kennedy told senators that “Medicaid is not working for Americans.”
“It’s specifically not working for the target population,” he said.
Kennedy said the premiums and deductibles are too high, the “networks are narrow,” and the best doctors and healthcare systems don’t accept it.
FEDERAL JUDGE PAUSES TRUMP ADMIN’S TEMPORARY FEDERAL GRANTS, LOANS FREEZE
Medicaid, originally designed for the poorest Americans, has been “dramatically expanded,” leading to increased financial pressures on that population, he said.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. takes his seat during his Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing on Jan. 29, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images / Getty Images)
“The irony of the expansion is that the poorest Americans are now being robbed,” he continued.
A patient waits in a room at a doctor’s office. ( / iStock)
In terms of Medicare, Kennedy believes more people would rather be on Medicare Advantage “because it offers very good services” but it’s too expensive.
When asked what reforms he would recommend to improve service and make it more cost-effective, Kennedy said there are “many things” we can do but stopped short of offering specifics. He said the ultimate goal is to increase transparency and accountability as well as “transition into a value-based system rather than a fee-based system.”
What to know about Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid:
Medicare
Medicare is health insurance for people who are at least 65 years old. It is also for certain individuals under 65 that have disabilities and conditions. There are various plans within Medicare. When you sign up for Medicare, you can choose which way to get your Medicare coverage.
FACT OR FICTION: WILL TRUMP’S FEDERAL FUNDING FREEZE IMPACT STUDENT LOANS, GRANTS?
There are two main options for consumers. One is original Medicare, which includes Part A and Part B, or Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C).
A doctor writes a prescription for a patient. ( / iStock)
Medicare Part A
Part A, otherwise known as hospital insurance, helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care and home health care, according to the CMS.
Medicare Part B
It is medical insurance that covers services from doctors and other healthcare providers, outpatient care, home healthcare and durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other equipment. It will also cover many preventive services such as screenings, shots or vaccines, and yearly “Wellness” visits, according to CMS.
You can use Medicare Part A and Part B at any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare in the U.S. Consumers can also buy supplemental coverage that helps pay for their out-of-pocket costs.
Medicare Part D
It helps cover the cost of prescription drugs and includes many recommended shots or vaccines. However, consumers have to add this plan in order to get Medicare drug coverage.
Medicare Advantage
It is a Medicare-approved plan from a private company that offers an alternative to original Medicare for your health and drug coverage. It is known as Part C and usually bundles Part A, Part B, and usually Part D plans.
Typically, this has different out-of-pocket costs than original Medicare or supplemental coverage like Medigap, which is supplemental insurance consumers can buy from a private company that helps pay your share of costs in original Medicare.
With Part C, consumers may also have an additional premium, according to CMS.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies during his Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing on Jan. 29, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee / Getty Images)
However, the plans may offer benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t.
Medicaid
This is a joint federal and state program designed to provide health coverage for individuals with limited income and resources. It offers benefits such as nursing home care, personal care services, and help with paying Medicare premiums and other costs.
The state will pay your monthly premiums, and depending on the level of Medicaid eligibility, it may also cover Medicare costs, such as deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. In some cases, it could also cover Part A premiums, according to CMS.
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Recipients will also receive assistance with prescription costs. Medicaid may cover medications and services that Medicare doesn’t, as noted by CMS.
However, each state has different rules around who’s eligible for this program. To qualify, you must meet your state’s rules for your income and resources, in addition to other rules such as being a resident of the state.
However, sometimes a state will offer loopholes. For instance, some states will let a consumer “spend down” the amount of their income that’s above the state’s Medicaid limit.
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.
Here’s what’s happening…
-White House still committed to freezing ‘woke’ funds despite rescinding OMB memo
-Conservatives hammer Dem senator’s ‘droning monologue’ during RFK Jr hearing
–Justice Department moves to drop prosecution of Mar-a-Lago staff in Trump classified docs case
‘Corrected it many times’
HHS Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden were involved in a tense exchange on Capitol Hill where Kennedy accused the senator of intentionally misrepresenting his past comments.
Wyden, the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee which held a confirmation hearing for Kennedy on Wednesday, pressed the nominee on comments made on podcasts in recent years.
“During a podcast interview in July of 2023, you said, ‘no vaccine is safe and effective.’ In your testimony today, in order to prove you’re not anti-vax, you note that all your kids are vaccinated, but in a podcast in 2020, you said, and I quote, ‘you would do anything pay anything to go back in time and not vaccinate your kids,’” Wyden said to Kennedy…Read more
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (left) testified to the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, where he faced intense questions from Ranking Member Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. (right). (Getty/AP)
White House
FIGHTING BACK: Trump’s new legal team begins appeals process for Manhattan conviction…Read more
‘EXTRAORDINARY CELEBRATION’: Trump to create task force to plan ‘extraordinary celebration’ for 250th anniversary of America’s independence…Read more
‘MY BOSS LOVES’ THEM: RFK Jr. vows he won’t take cheeseburgers away, just highlight health issues…Read more
President-elect Trump was shared a McDonald’s meal with Elon Musk, Donald Trump Jr., House Speaker Mike Johnson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(Donald Trump Jr. / X)
Capitol Hill
‘CORRECTED IT MANY TIMES’: RFK Jr rips Dem senator for pushing ‘dishonest’ narrative on past vaccine comments: ‘Corrected it many times’…Read more
BONDI AT BAT: Trump AG pick Pam Bondi clears Judiciary Committee, will get confirmation vote in Senate…Read more
Pam Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Justice Department as attorney general, appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee for her confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
DEEPSEEK DANGER: GOP Sen Josh Hawley seeks to cut off all US-China collaboration on AI development…Read more
‘RAW DEAL’: Thomas Massie and Mike Lee advocate for US to dump NATO…Read more
Across America
HAMAS, SMELL YOU LATER: President Donald Trump to deport Hamas sympathizers on college campuses, defund CRT with new executive orders…Read more
‘TREATED UNFAIRLY’: Howard Lutnick, Trump Commerce secretary pick, says it’s ‘nonsense’ that tariffs cause inflation…Read more
SCORCHED EARTH: RFK Jr.’s former running mate threatens political war against confirmation opponents…Read more
‘COMMUNITY IS SAFER’: Noem says ‘worst of the worst’ arrested in NYC raid targeting criminal illegal immigrants…Read more
Newsom and Trump. Fox News graphic.(AP/Getty Images)
SMELT TEST: Trump order overrides California’s fish-protecting rules to maximize water supply…Read more
CAUGHT ON CAM: Los Angeles wildfires: Lawsuit alleges video shows what started Eaton Fire…Read more
Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Every abortion is a “tragedy,” President Donald Trump’s Health and Human Services nominee, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., told lawmakers Wednesday.
While Kennedy previously voiced support for abortion even in the late stages of pregnancy, Kennedy told the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday he would carry out Trump’s policy priorities concerning abortion.
“I agree with President Trump that every abortion is a tragedy,” Kennedy said at his confirmation hearing. “I agree with him that we cannot be a moral nation if we have 1.2 million abortions a year. I agree with him that the states should control abortion. President Trump has told me that he wants to end late-term abortions, and he wants to protect conscience exemptions.”
“I serve at the pleasure of the president,” Kennedy said. “I’m going to implement his policies.”
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., partner with Morgan & Morgan PA, is sworn-in during a House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, July 20, 2023.(Getty)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 625,978 abortions were reported from 48 areas in 2021.
Trump has said on multiple occasions that he supports abortion in certain instances, and said that “powerful exceptions” for abortion would remain in place under his administration.
Meanwhile, Kennedy has altered his position on abortion several times in the past year. Kennedy, a former Democrat who ran as an independent presidential candidate in the 2024 election, has historically stated that he doesn’t believe the government should step in with a woman’s choice to end a pregnancy, despite his “personally pro-life” stance.
RFK JR RIPS DEM SENATOR FOR PUSHING ‘DISHONEST’ NARRATIVE ON PAST VACCINE COMMENTS: ‘CORRECTED IT MANY TIMES’
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
In May, Kennedy said he supported abortions in the third trimester, although he later followed up and said he does back some restrictions.
Kennedy’s views appeared at odds with one another, and Democratic lawmakers said they were “confused” by his answers on abortion.
“Mr. Kennedy, I’m confused. You have clearly stated in the past that bodily autonomy is one of your core values. The question is, do you stand for that value or not?” Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., said during the confirmation hearing. “When was it that you decided to sell out the values you have had your whole life in order to be given power by President Trump?”
RFK JR. LIKELY TO BE CONFIRMED AS HEALTH SECRETARY, DR. SIEGEL SAYS
President Donald Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr. sits in a meeting with Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Capitol Hill on January 9, 2025 in Washington, DC.(Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Other lawmakers voiced concerns about Kennedy’s nomination, including Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.
“Frankly, you frighten people,” Whitehouse said, after claiming that there was a measles outbreak in Rhode Island for the first time since 2013 amid a broader discussion about Kennedy’s stance on vaccines.
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Kennedy pushed back on “news reports” that he is anti-vaccine and anti-industry in his opening statements Wednesday, noting that all his children are vaccinated. He also has previously said that he isn’t interested in taking “away anybody’s vaccines.”
Fox News Digital’s Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
Diana Stancy is a politics reporter with Fox News Digital covering the White House.
