In a contentious congressional hearing, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced sharp criticism from lawmakers over his handling of a major measles outbreak and proposed budget cuts, while attempting to pivot the conversation toward chronic disease policies.
During the three-hour session before the House Ways & Means Committee, Democrats grilled Kennedy about what they called a bungled response to the worst measles outbreak in decades. California Representative Mike Thompson directly challenged Kennedy, stating, "Your dangerous conspiracy theories are undermining safe and effective vaccines," while displaying data showing nearly 4,000 measles cases in 2025 and 2026.
Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, avoided discussing his controversial vaccine agenda during the hearing. Instead, he focused on what he described as "ending the era of federal policies that fuelled the chronic disease epidemic" in the United States. He declared, "President Trump and I are challenging the status quo and the institutions that defend it as we work to make America healthy again in just 15 months."
The hearing occurred as Kennedy presented the Trump administration's proposal to cut his agency's budget by approximately $16 billion in the coming fiscal year—a 12.5% reduction from the previous year. Lawmakers questioned these cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, particularly regarding staff reductions and impacts on cancer research.
Democratic Representative Linda Sanchez pressed Kennedy about the measles outbreak that resulted in two child deaths in Texas last year. When asked if a child's life could have been saved by the measles vaccine, Kennedy responded, "It's possible, certainly."
At times, Kennedy expressed frustration with the questioning, stating, "They've all shut me up and they've talked about science, but science is about debate."
While most Republicans supported Kennedy's agenda—with Representative Jodey Arrington calling him "a breath of fresh air"—some voiced concerns. Utah Republican Blake Moore, who has a neurodivergent son, expressed disappointment with the administration's autism research efforts. Kennedy has made finding the cause of autism a central mission, despite medical experts disputing some of his claims, including a recent assertion that taking Tylenol during pregnancy could cause autism.
Moore shared a personal story, saying, "My wife was hurt, and she felt for a split-second until we came to our senses and we talked about this, that there was any way she was responsible. We don't even know if she took Tylenol during her pregnancy, but that was a hurtful moment for her."
The hearing also addressed broader health policy issues, with Democrat Gwen Moore questioning cuts to aid programs for mothers and children, including food stamps. Kennedy defended the reductions, citing a $39 trillion deficit and stating, "Nobody wants to make the cuts."
This appearance marked a shift in Kennedy's public focus, coming months after a judge struck down many of his changes to U.S. vaccine policies, including his replacement of an expert advisory panel with vaccine critics. The Department of Health and Human Services indicated it would appeal the ruling but has yet to do so.