US well being secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. informed lawmakers on Wednesday that People “shouldn’t be taking medical recommendation” from him, reviews information company Reuters. Kennedy defended job cuts beneath the Trump administration and his controversial vaccine remarks throughout his first look earlier than Congress.Being a long-time critic of vaccines, Kennedy was grilled by each the Home Appropriations Committee and the Senate HELP Committee throughout back-to-back hearings. His remarks got here amid a measles outbreak that has contaminated over 1,000 folks and led to 3 deaths, largely among the many unvaccinated.When requested if he would give his kids the measles vaccine right now, Kennedy replied, “Measles? In all probability for measles, what I’d say is my opinions about vaccines are irrelevant. I don’t suppose folks must be taking recommendation, medical recommendation, from me.”The hearings have been meant to overview US President Donald Trump’s proposed 2026 well being price range. Kennedy was confirmed in February and has already fired 10,000 employees throughout key companies, together with the FDA and CDC. He has additionally supported slashing $18 billion from the Nationwide Institutes of Well being and $3.6 billion from the CDC, claiming the adjustments would “save taxpayers $1.8 billion per 12 months.”“Our reductions have targeted on aligning HHS staffing ranges to replicate the scale of HHS previous to the COVID-19 pandemic, which noticed round a 15% enhance within the variety of staff,” Kennedy informed the Home subcommittee.Democrats slammed the cuts as harmful. “All whilst you peddle unfounded and harmful vaccine skepticism, unfold lies and misinformation about folks residing with autism,” mentioned Consultant Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut.On the Senate listening to, Kennedy once more declined to obviously help the MMR jab. “I’m not going to simply inform folks every part is secure and efficient if I do know that there’s points,” he mentioned.When requested whether or not Elon Musk had influenced his choices, Kennedy denied taking orders however admitted Musk had assisted with fraud detection. “Elon Musk gave us assist in attempting and determining the place there was fraud and abuse within the division. Nevertheless it was as much as me to make the choice,” he mentioned.Republican Senator Invoice Cassidy, who helped safe Kennedy’s affirmation, mentioned People deserved readability. “People want direct reassurance from the administration, from you, Mr. Secretary, that its reforms will make their lives simpler, not more durable.”Viewers members protested throughout the listening to, sporting stickers studying “When Bobby lies, kids die” and chanting “RFK kills folks with AIDS” earlier than being eliminated by Capitol police.
