RFK Jr. Defends HHS Cuts Amid Congressional Grilling

Washington, D.C. — Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced intense questioning in back-to-back hearings on May 15, 2025, regarding significant cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that he asserts were inspired by Elon Musk‘s DOGE team. Kennedy stood his ground against allegations while addressing several public health topics, including vaccines and recent research initiatives.

During a hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Kennedy maintained that the proposed budget adjustments were necessary for improving HHS efficiency. He mentioned that some cuts had been reinstated post-review as part of his commitments to rectifying early mistakes in budget proposals.

Congressional discussions became particularly heated when Representative Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., of the House Appropriations Committee confronted Kennedy, saying, “You don’t have the authority,” in regard to alleged illegal funding impoundments. Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., urged more cooperation between Kennedy and Congress, emphasizing the need for an effective plan that balances statutory responsibilities and transparency.

As the Senate hearing started, protests erupted, accusing Kennedy of causing harm through budget cuts. However, police swiftly removed the activists to allow proceedings to continue. In a notable exchange with Representative Steny Hoyer, D-Md., Kennedy asserted that while he collaborated with Musk, he ultimately made final decisions on budget cuts.

Lawmakers pressed Kennedy on cuts affecting biomedical research and other essential health programs. Senator Andy Kim, D-N.J., questioned the reasoning for cuts to the World Trade Center health program, which have since been reversed. In defense, Kennedy claimed that maintaining a leaner agency was vital to achieving his overarching aim of improving public health.

Vaccines became a focal point of the hearings when concerns were raised regarding Kennedy’s stance on vaccine safety. Senator Murphy accused Kennedy of jeopardizing public trust, eliciting a controversial response from Kennedy, who suggested that clarity about risks is paramount in public health advisories. He notably remarked, “If I advise you to swim in a lake that I know there to be alligators in, wouldn’t you want to know?”

As the hearings concluded, polarization became evident when Kennedy emphasized to lawmakers that miscommunications had occurred with Democratic representatives, which led to delays in responses regarding reinstated programs.