RFK Jr. faces another round of tough questions from House lawmakers

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sat through another long morning of questioning Thursday as he faced the House Education and Workforce Committee, the second congressional panel to grill him this week. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kennedy's role puts him at the center of national debates over medical policy, and his past views on vaccines and pharmaceutical companies have kept the spotlight firmly on him.

Lawmakers came prepared with pointed questions about recent shifts in CDC guidance, budget decisions within NIH, and staffing changes across HHS agencies. Some Republicans pressed Kennedy on reports of political appointees influencing scientific communications, while several Democrats focused on access to mental health services and the rollout of rural telehealth programs.

Kennedy defended his record, emphasizing efforts to increase transparency and reduce corporate influence in public health decisions. He reiterated his stance that health policy should prioritize patient autonomy and long-term wellness over what he called "reactive, profit-driven models." Still, he stumbled at times when pressed for specifics on budget allocations or timelines for ongoing reforms.

The hearing follows a similarly intense session the day before before the House Oversight Committee, where Kennedy's past statements on vaccines resurfaced in heated exchanges. While he has since affirmed support for routine immunizations, skepticism lingers among some members about how his personal views might shape federal health programs.

What made this week stand out wasn't just the scrutiny, but the sustained focus on HHS's direction under his leadership. With major initiatives on mental health, opioid treatment, and health equity in motion, the stakes are high for how the department balances innovation, science, and public trust.

Committee members didn't hold back, but there was also recognition across the aisle of the challenges facing the nation's health infrastructure - from workforce shortages to rising costs. At times, the tone shifted from adversarial to collaborative, especially when discussing maternal health outcomes and youth suicide prevention.

As the session wrapped, no major revelations emerged, but the back-to-back hearings underscored a reality: Kennedy remains one of the most closely watched figures in the administration. How he navigates these pressures could shape not just his tenure, but the broader trajectory of U.S. health policy in the years ahead.