RFK Jr. Defends HHS Budget Cuts to House Committee

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced federal lawmakers for the first time since September, defending a proposed 12% budget cut for the United States===United States Department of Health and Human Services before the United States===United States House Committee on Ways and Means. He emphasized reforms to dietary guidelines and efforts to combat waste, fraud, and abuse. Democrats, including Linda Sánchez and Terri Sewell, expressed anger over his overhaul of the department, particularly his efforts to pull back vaccine recommendations by the United States===Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which they linked to measles outbreaks. Kennedy also denied past controversial remarks he made as a presidential candidate. Republicans, conversely, praised Kennedy's actions. The hearing showcased significant political friction between Kennedy and his former party, the United States===Democratic Party (United States).