RFK Jr. Testifies Before Congress on HHS Cuts, Measles Crisis

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to testify before both the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, marking his first congressional appearances since his confirmation. Kennedy is expected to defend the Trump administration's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, which includes a 26 percent cut to HHS's discretionary spending and significant workforce reductions aimed at streamlining the department and reducing government bloat. His testimony will likely address controversies including the recent layoffs and reinstatements of workers in the World Trade Center Health Program, which has raised concerns among New York Democrats about service interruptions for 9/11 first responders. Kennedy’s handling of the ongoing measles outbreak and his ambiguous stance on vaccines, including promoting the MMR vaccine while making false claims about its contents, are also anticipated areas of scrutiny. Senate HELP Committee Chair Sen. Bill Cassidy, who previously questioned Kennedy extensively but ultimately supported his confirmation, is expected to engage with him, though he has chosen to influence Kennedy privately rather than through public criticism. The hearings will thus serve as a critical moment for Kennedy to justify the department's restructuring and budget cuts amidst growing public health concerns and political tensions.