Kennedy Faces Off with Wyden in Senate Hearing
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. found himself in a tense exchange with Senator Ron Wyden during a Senate Finance Committee hearing recently. This exchange centered around the impact of Kennedy’s policies on children’s health.
Wyden accused Kennedy of jeopardizing children’s well-being and criticized him for showing no remorse for his actions. He expressed concern that decisions made by Kennedy could be influenced by unproven theories rather than sound science. “This is about kids being put at risk because of reckless choices,” Wyden stated, before questioning how many preventable child deaths would be accepted in the pursuit of Kennedy’s agenda.
In response, Kennedy raised questions about Wyden’s long tenure in the Senate. “You’ve been in that seat for over 20 years while childhood diseases have soared by 76%, yet you’ve said nothing about why this is happening,” he challenged. He pointed to a recent troubling rise in infant mortality, suggesting that the current issues stem from policies established during the Biden administration.
The committee’s chairman, Senator Mike Crapo, intervened to manage the debate. His decision to give Wyden another opportunity to speak, albeit briefly, reflected the seriousness of the hearing.
Kennedy’s testimony comes on the heels of a letter signed by over 1,000 current and former HHS employees, calling for his resignation. Critics, including Senator Bernie Sanders, have targeted Kennedy especially over his dismissal of former CDC director Susan Monarez.
In their letter, HHS employees urged that health policy should rely on solid evidence rather than be swayed by partisan politics, indicating that under Kennedy, this principle was at risk.
The tension in these discussions highlights the ongoing debate on health policy in America, underscoring the need for a careful and thoughtful approach that puts the health and safety of all children first.
