The official purpose of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s marathon Senate confirmation hearings this week was for lawmakers to decide if Kennedy is fit to oversee 80,000 employees and a $1.8 trillion annual budget as secretary of Health and Human Services.

President Trump’s highly controversial pick to head the HHS, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., faced a series of tough questions from skeptical congressional Democrats, including Senator Bernie Sanders. Robert F.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confronted with a number of his baseless claims and a vexing abortion issue. But Republican senators treaded lightly.

RFK Jr. claimed he is not “anti-vaccine” and appeared unfamiliar with key aspects of healthcare insurance programs in his confirmation hearing.

If approved, Kennedy will control a $1.7 trillion agency that oversees food and hospital inspections, hundreds of health clinics, vaccine recommendations and health insurance for roughly half the country.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's controversial pick to lead Health and Human Services, testified before a Senate panel that is crucial to advance his nomination.

The hearings were packed to capacity with protesters and fans, while the spillover crowd hung out in hallways and overflow rooms.

Kennedy, a Democrat who ran as an independent but ended up supporting Trump in the 2024 presidential campaign, was grilled by senators over his views on vaccines, abortion, Medicaid and more during two days of confirmation hearings.

Democrats focused on Kennedy's anti-vaccine advocacy. Republicans probed the former Democratic leader on his abortion and agriculture views.