Health Secretary RFK Jr. Defends Budget Cuts and Vaccine Policies in House Hearings

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced intense scrutiny from Democrats during two House committee hearings Thursday as he defended a proposed 12% budget cut to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and his controversial vaccine policies. The department’s funding request for the next fiscal year includes a $15.8 billion reduction, totaling $111.1 billion.

Kennedy, who assumed office early last year, has initiated sweeping changes within HHS, including consolidating agencies and focusing more on disease prevention. However, his overhaul of the childhood vaccine schedule to reduce universal recommendations was blocked by a judge, and his public skepticism about measles vaccine safety has drawn sharp criticism.

During testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee, Kennedy defended his department’s response to recent measles outbreaks, which have surged to 2,287 cases last year—the highest since measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. 25 years ago—and 1,714 cases so far this year. Rep. Linda Sánchez, D-Calif., confronted Kennedy about the CDC’s reduced pro-vaccine messaging under his leadership and asked if he agreed that the measles vaccine could have saved a 6-year-old child who died last year in Texas. Kennedy replied, “It’s possible, certainly.”

Kennedy also claimed the U.S. has done better than other countries in preventing measles, a statement contested by disease experts who argue that lowered vaccination rates and Kennedy’s de-emphasis on vaccines have hindered outbreak control. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said, “Mr. Secretary, kids have died because measles is running rampant under your watch.”

The hearings also featured a heated exchange over remarks Kennedy made in 2024 about “re-parenting” Black children, which he denied saying despite audio evidence. Kennedy’s spokesperson explained the term referred to therapeutic environments for youth facing mental health challenges.

Kennedy defended staffing cuts made under the Trump administration, stating that terminated employees “presided over the biggest decline in health in the history of the world” and that HHS plans to hire 12,000 new employees to replace lost staff.

He announced two major policy changes: reforming the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to increase transparency and frequency of meetings, and reclassifying 12 peptides from Category 2 to Category 1 substances, allowing compounding pharmacies to produce them despite ongoing FDA safety evaluations. Kennedy argued there was no scientific basis for the previous safety concerns and advocated for regulating peptides as supplements rather than drugs.

Additionally, Kennedy urged lawmakers to confirm Dr. Casey Means as surgeon general, describing her as “the most articulate, eloquent and erudite evangelist for the MAHA movement.” Means’ nomination has faced bipartisan criticism for her controversial views and remains pending in the Senate.

Throughout the hearings, Kennedy clashed with Democratic lawmakers, accusing them of misrepresenting his work and not allowing him to respond fully. Republicans praised him as a “breath of fresh air,” while Democrats expressed deep concern over his leadership and policy directions.

The hearings come amid ongoing debates over public health priorities, vaccine policies, and the future direction of federal health agencies under Kennedy’s leadership.