US well being secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. advised lawmakers on Wednesday that Individuals “shouldn’t be taking medical recommendation” from him, studies 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 House 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 individuals and led to a few deaths, largely among the many unvaccinated.When requested if he would give his youngsters the measles vaccine in the present day, Kennedy replied, “Measles? Most likely for measles, what I’d say is my opinions about vaccines are irrelevant. I don’t suppose individuals must be taking recommendation, medical recommendation, from me.”The hearings have been meant to evaluation US President Donald Trump’s proposed 2026 well being finances. Kennedy was confirmed in February and has already fired 10,000 employees throughout key businesses, 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 modifications would “save taxpayers $1.8 billion per 12 months.”“Our reductions have centered on aligning HHS staffing ranges to replicate the scale of HHS previous to the COVID-19 pandemic, which noticed round a 15% improve within the variety of staff,” Kennedy advised the Home subcommittee.Democrats slammed the cuts as harmful. “All whilst you peddle unfounded and harmful vaccine skepticism, unfold lies and misinformation about individuals 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 individuals all the things is secure and efficient if I do know that there’s points,” he mentioned.When requested whether or not Elon Musk had influenced his selections, 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. However it was as much as me to make the choice,” he mentioned.Republican Senator Invoice Cassidy, who helped safe Kennedy’s affirmation, mentioned Individuals deserved readability. “Individuals 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, youngsters die” and chanting “RFK kills individuals with AIDS” earlier than being eliminated by Capitol police.
