• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gains potential support from Senator Susan Collins, a key swing vote, boosting his chances for HHS confirmation.
• Kennedy faced intense scrutiny over vaccine skepticism and plans to shift funding to chronic disease prevention during his Senate hearing.
• Collins emphasized restoring public trust in vaccines and pressed Kennedy on Lyme disease vaccine development, a critical issue for Maine.
• Pharma-backed senators criticized Kennedy for spreading vaccine misinformation, while he defended his commitment to scientific integrity.
• Collins’ potential backing could be decisive in a closely divided Senate, signaling a possible shift in federal health policy priorities.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), appears to have secured a critical ally in his uphill battle for Senate confirmation. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), a moderate swing vote known for her bipartisan approach, expressed satisfaction with Kennedy’s responses during his confirmation hearing on Thursday. Collins’ potential support could provide the momentum Kennedy needs to overcome fierce opposition from Democrats and some Republicans, particularly those with ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

The hearing, held before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, saw Kennedy face intense scrutiny over his controversial views on vaccines, chronic disease prevention and health policy. Collins, who chairs the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, pressed Kennedy on his plans to shift funding from infectious diseases to chronic disease prevention, noting that Congress, not HHS, controls the purse strings. She also questioned him about his past criticisms of vaccines, particularly their impact on public trust and herd immunity.

Collins’ key questions and Kennedy’s responses

Collins, a pragmatic legislator with a reputation for thorough vetting, asked Kennedy how he would address declining vaccination rates and whether he would oppose the development of a Lyme disease vaccine — a critical issue for her constituents in Maine. Kennedy responded by emphasizing his commitment to restoring trust in public health institutions.

“All vaccines are dropping, and they’re doing that because people don’t believe the government anymore,” Kennedy said. “We need good science, and I’m going to bring that in. I’m going to restore trust, and that will restore vaccine uptake.”

Collins did not press Kennedy further on his well-documented skepticism of vaccines, including his past promotion of claims linking vaccines to autism. Instead, she seemed satisfied with his assurance that he would not block efforts to develop a Lyme disease vaccine, noting that he and his family have personally battled the illness.

Pharma-backed senators push back

Kennedy’s nomination has drawn sharp criticism from senators who receive significant campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies. Democrats, led by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), accused Kennedy of spreading misinformation about vaccines and undermining public health. Wyden grilled Kennedy over past statements questioning the safety and efficacy of vaccines, including those for COVID-19 and measles.

Kennedy defended himself vigorously, accusing Wyden of cherry-picking his words. “I’ve corrected it many times, including on national TV. You know about this, Senator Wyden. Bringing this up right now is dishonest,” he said.

Republicans like Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a physician, also expressed concerns about Kennedy’s vaccine views. Cassidy shared a personal story about a patient who suffered liver failure due to a preventable hepatitis infection, emphasizing the importance of vaccines. Kennedy, however, refused to unequivocally endorse the safety of vaccines, saying he would only do so “if the data is there.”

A path forward for Kennedy

Despite the pushback, Kennedy’s ability to win over Collins could be a turning point. Her support is crucial in a closely divided Senate, where Kennedy can only afford to lose three Republican votes if all Democrats oppose him. Collins’ willingness to engage with Kennedy on substantive policy issues, rather than focusing solely on his controversial past, suggests she may be open to backing his nomination.

Kennedy’s promise to prioritize transparency and scientific integrity resonated with Collins, who has long championed evidence-based policymaking. If confirmed, Kennedy has vowed to tackle chronic diseases, restore public trust in health institutions, and challenge the pharmaceutical industry’s influence on policy—a platform that aligns with Trump’s promise to “drain the swamp.”

As the confirmation battle intensifies, Kennedy’s ability to secure Collins’ support could prove decisive. While opposition from pharma-backed senators and progressive Democrats remains fierce, Kennedy’s commitment to reforming HHS and addressing systemic issues in public health has won him a critical ally. With Collins potentially on board, Kennedy’s path to leading HHS grows clearer, signaling a potential shift in how the federal government approaches health policy.

Sources for this article include:

TrendingPoliticsNews.com

BangorDailyNews.com

100PercentFedUp.com

PressHerald.com