Kennedy Jr. Grilled in Congress: Budget Cuts, Measles, and Vaccine Stance Under Fire

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Congressional Testimony Sparks Debate: Budget Cuts, Measles Outbreak, and Vaccination Views Under Scrutiny Washington D.C. - U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced intense questioning during his first Congressional testimony on May 15, 2025. The hearing focused on his department's significant budget cuts, resulting in thousands of job losses, and his handling of a growing measles outbreak. Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro pressed Kennedy Jr. on proposed $18 billion cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), questioning his commitment to using already-appropriated funds. Kennedy Jr. responded, "If you appropriate the money, I'm going to spend that money." The exchange highlighted the tension between the administration's fiscal priorities and concerns about vital health research funding. Representative Mark Pocan also questioned Kennedy Jr.'s views on childhood vaccinations, a topic that has drawn considerable controversy in the past. Kennedy Jr.'s responses and the overall tone of the hearing underscore the ongoing political debate surrounding healthcare policy and public health initiatives in the United States. The video concludes with a visual depiction of the measles outbreak and vaccination efforts.