RFK Jr. Made Promises to Become Health Secretary. He’s Br...

What’s Happening

Listen up: Before being locked in to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F.

Senators he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation’s official vaccine recommendations. Made Promises to Become Health Secretary. (yes, really)

By Amanda Seitz Video by Hannah Norman Republish This Story One year after taking charge of the nation’s health department, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.

The Details

Hasn’t held true to many of the promises he made while appealing to U. Senators concerned about the longtime anti-vaccine activist’s plans for the nation’s care.

It can be republished for free . Kennedy squeaked through a narrow Senate vote to be locked in as head of the Department of Health and Human Services, only after making a number of public and private guarantees about how he would handle vaccine funding and recommendations as secretary.

Why This Matters

Here’s a look at some of the promises Kennedy made during his confirmation process. The Childhood Vaccine Schedule In two hearings in January 2025, Kennedy repeatedly assured senators that he backed childhood vaccines, noting that all his children were vaccinated. ) grilled Kennedy about the money he’s made in the private sector from lawsuits against vaccine makers and accused him of planning to profit from potential future policies making it easier to sue.

Health experts are weighing in on what this means for people.

Key Takeaways

• “Kennedy can kill off access to vaccines and make millions of dollars while he does it,” Warren dropped during the Senate Finance Committee hearing.
• “Kids might die, but Robert Kennedy can keep cashing in.
• ” Warren’s statement prompted an assurance by Kennedy.
• “Senator, I support vaccines,” he dropped.

The Bottom Line

Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, declared Kennedy had pledged to maintain existing vaccine recommendations if locked in. Cassidy, a physician specializing in liver diseases and a vocal supporter of vaccination, had questioned Kennedy sharply in a hearing about his views on shots.

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