Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump's nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), is set to make his stance clear. He will emphasize that he is not "anti-vaccine" when he appears before Congress. His confirmation hearings begin Wednesday.
"I want to make sure the Committee is clear about a few things," Kennedy will say. "News reports have claimed that I am anti-vaccine or anti-industry. Well, I am neither; I am pro-safety." His opening statement was shared first with Fox News. If confirmed, he will oversee 18 federal agencies, including the CDC, FDA, and NIH.
Kennedy will also push back against critics labeling him as anti-farmer. "I am not the enemy of food producers," he will say. "American farms are the bedrock of our culture and national security." He aims to cut regulations and boost American ingenuity.
His confirmation hearings are expected to be contentious. The Senate Finance Committee will vote on his nomination, but a courtesy hearing will also be held by the Senate Health Committee. His past claims linking vaccines to autism, which scientists have debunked, remain a major point of controversy.
Kennedy previously led Children's Health Defense, a group known for challenging vaccine policies. The organization has sued the government multiple times, including over COVID vaccine authorizations. His history fuels concerns among senators and advocacy groups.
Since Trump’s decisive November victory, Kennedy has shifted his stance. "I won’t take away anybody’s vaccines," he has assured. At his hearing, he will highlight that "all of my kids are vaccinated, and I believe vaccines have a critical role in healthcare."
Still, he stands by his right to question the system. "In my advocacy, I have disturbed the status quo by asking uncomfortable questions," he will say. "Well, I won’t apologize for that." He believes America faces massive health challenges that require honest discussion.
HHS is a powerhouse department with nearly 90,000 employees and a $1.7 trillion budget. Kennedy plans to shift its focus to lifestyle health and disease prevention. Some lawmakers from both parties support this approach.
He wants to reform dietary guidelines and tackle ultra-processed foods. "American farms are the bedrock of our culture and national security," he will say again. He will stress the need to cut harmful regulations and support farmers.
Kennedy will issue a stark warning about the nation's health crisis. "The United States has worse health than any other developed nation, yet we spend far more on healthcare—at least double; and in some cases, triple." He believes systemic changes are necessary.
He will also express gratitude for Trump's trust. "I thank President Trump for entrusting me to deliver on his promise to make America healthy again." His plan includes pushing for healthier foods and scrutinizing food additives.
"Should I be so privileged to be confirmed, we will make sure our tax dollars support healthy foods," he will say. He promises to eliminate financial conflicts in agencies and prioritize unbiased science. "We will reverse the chronic disease epidemic and put the nation back on the road to health."
Kennedy has long been a well-known activist and part of a storied political family. He launched a Democratic primary challenge against Biden in 2023. Six months later, he switched to an independent White House bid.
Then, last August, he shocked the political world by dropping out and endorsing Trump. His ties to far-right leaders grew, in part, due to his vaccine skepticism. After Trump’s win, Kennedy was tapped to lead HHS.
His nomination has drawn fierce opposition. Advocacy groups are running ads urging senators to reject him. His own cousin, Caroline Kennedy, sent a letter condemning him on the eve of his hearing.
She accused him of "preying on the desperation of parents and sick children." She referenced a 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa, where 83 people died. His vaccine stance has been linked to that crisis.
Democrat Gov. Josh Green of Hawaii has also spoken out. As a former ER doctor, he treated victims of that measles outbreak. "Our people deserve a Health and Human Services Secretary who champions science," Green said. He also raised concerns about Kennedy’s lack of experience.
Kennedy is facing pushback from Republicans, too. Social conservatives oppose his past support for abortion rights. Mike Pence’s group launched an ad campaign attacking Kennedy’s stance on the issue.
"We need leadership that defends life and protects the most vulnerable," Pence’s group wrote. The ad campaign underscores GOP divisions over Kennedy’s nomination.
On Tuesday, Kennedy met privately with senators ahead of the hearing. He ignored shouted questions from reporters. But Trump ally Katie Miller said Kennedy is "prepared and excited" for the hearings.