Jan. 29 (UPI) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is appearing before the Senate Committee on Finance on Wednesday as he seeks confirmation to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
The committee will convene on Capitol Hill at 10 a.m. EST. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, is the chairman of the panel and will make opening comments, followed by a statement from Ranking Member Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.
Kennedy, an outspoken opponent of vaccinations, is among President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees expected to face challenges on the path to confirmation. If confirmed, he will have authority over 13 divisions and 10 agencies in public health and three human services agencies.
The secretary of the department leads the government’s preparedness and response to public health emergencies as well as Medicare and Medicaid programs and the regulation of foods and medicines. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health fall under their purview.
While Kennedy has been critical if not in outright opposition of vaccinations, some of his stances remain unclear. He has voiced support for abortion rights but he has walked back his position since ending his presidential campaign and supporting Trump.
After the election, Kennedy pledged to not ban any vaccinations.
More than 24,000 health professionals are not convinced, signing a letter to the U.S. Senate urging senators to oppose Kennedy’s nomination.
“They should look at his record and it will absolutely confirm that he is a danger,” said Dr. Rob Davidson, executive director of the Committee to Protect Health Care.
The letter highlights more positions Kennedy has taken that have drawn criticism, including linking school shootings to antidepressants and promoting the use of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19.
“Our patients deserve a Secretary of HHS who upholds the principles of science and public health, focusing on addressing real public health crises facing Americans such as the high cost of prescription drugs, access to care, and the systemic barriers patients face – not someone whose legacy is built on lies and conspiracy theories,” the letter reads.