Cheyenne Suarez

Kennedy faces Senate scrutiny over vaccine, abortion views

Article (news)

Reuters Wires

<p>Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump&#x27;s pick to lead the top U.S. health agency, came under attack at a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday (January 29) over his views on vaccines, abortion, and potential conflicts of interest.</p><p>The Republican-controlled Senate has not rejected any of Trump&#x27;s nominees so far. His controversial defense secretary pick, Pete Hegseth, squeaked by in a 51-50 vote after Vice President JD Vance was needed to break a tie on Friday (January 24), despite concerns that the nominee was not qualified for the position, and allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse.</p><p>Kennedy&#x27;s nomination puts Republican lawmakers&#x27; loyalty to the test, as the former Democrat holds a range of unorthodox positions that could alienate both conservatives and liberals.</p><p>The environmental lawyer is seen as a controversial pick on both sides of the aisle chiefly for having spread misinformation around the safety of vaccines in the past.</p><p>In written testimony to the Finance Committee, Kennedy said he is not anti-vaccine or anti-industry and that he believes &quot;vaccines have a critical role in healthcare.&quot; He noted that his own children had been vaccinated, according to the document seen by Reuters, but helped found the anti-vaccine group Children&#x27;s Health Defense.</p><p>Kennedy says he wants to work to end chronic disease, break any ties between employees at the U.S. drugs regulator and industry, and advise U.S. water systems to remove fluoride.</p><p>He has decried the U.S. food industry for adding ingredients he says have made Americans less healthy.</p><p>Kennedy needs the support of at least 50 senators, which would allow Vance to cast another tie-breaking vote and confirm his nomination if needed.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/1/30/trump-says-federal-workers-must-agree-to-work-in-the-office-0823">Trump says federal workers must agree to work in the office</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/1/29/trump-says-will-detain-30-000-migrants-in-guantanamo-0648">Trump says will detain 30,000 migrants in Guantanamo</a></div><div><em>(Production: Paul Vieira)</em></div><div><br/></div><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div>

<p>Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's pick to lead the top U.S. health agency, came under attack at a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday (January 29) over his views on vaccines, abortion, and potential conflicts of interest.</p>

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's pick to lead the top U.S. health agency, came under attack at a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday (January 29) over his views on vaccines, abortion, and potential conflicts of interest.

Kennedy faces Senate scrutiny over vaccine, abortion views

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Kennedy faces Senate scrutiny over vaccine, abortion views

Reuters

Published January 30, 2025 09:38 AM PHT

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