Although it did not go as smoothly as it could have, Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s appearance before the Senate Finance Committee seemed to show more Republican support than previously expected.
In his opening statement, Kennedy attempted to clarify his previous remarks on vaccinations.
“News reports have claimed that I am anti-vaccine or anti-industry. I am neither. I am pro-safety,” he said. “All of my kids are vaccinated, and I believe vaccines have a critical role in healthcare.”
Kennedy’s comments prompted Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) to question Kennedy on comments he made as a guest on Lex Fridman’s podcast in 2023. In that episode, Kennedy stated, “no vaccine is safe and effective.”
Kennedy claimed that the committee took his comments out of context, and that he meant to add “for every person” before Fridman interrupted him. Kennedy said he has since clarified his statements.
Kennedy’s potentially softer message on vaccines may help him win over the Republican swing votes in the Senate.
Later in the hearing, Committee Chair Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) questioned Kennedy over the issue of nutrition.
The former environmental lawyer suggested a redirection of funding with programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“We shouldn’t be giving 60% of kids in public schools processed food that is making them sick,” Kennedy said. “We shouldn’t be spending 10% of the SNAP program on sugared drinks.”
Kennedy said he is not in favor of banning processed foods. Instead, Kennedy says that people should know what is in what they eat and make decisions for themselves.
“I don’t want to take food away from anybody,” he said. “If you like a McDonald’s cheeseburger or a Diet Coke, which my boss loves, you should be able to get them. If you want to eat Hostess Twinkies, you should be able to do that, but you should know what the impacts are on your family and on your health.”
The RFK hearings also indicated the removal of obstacles for his confirmation.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), a potential Senate swing vote, complimented Kennedy on the way he handled himself during the hearing before jokingly asking Kennedy if he was a conspiracy theorist.
“That is a pejorative, senator, that’s applied to me, mainly to keep me from asking difficult questions of powerful interests,” Kennedy responded.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
With Tillis a potential “yes” vote for confirmation, Kennedy has cleared a major hurdle toward confirmation.
Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) were the three Republican “no” votes on the Pete Hegseth nomination. None have indicated support or opposition to Kennedy’s nomination. If one of them switches to a “yes” vote for Kennedy, he will likely be confirmed, either with or without Vice President JD Vance‘s help.