RFK Jr. to Testify Before Senate Amid Budget Cuts and Vaccine Controversy

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is scheduled to testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on May 14, the panel confirmed Friday. His appearance follows significant upheaval at the department, including the dismissal of 10,000 staff and sweeping structural reforms.

Initially expected to testify in April, Kennedy’s hearing was postponed due to procedural issues. In the meantime, he traveled across the country, including a stop in Texas to meet a family who lost their 8-year-old child to measles—an incident that has reignited national debate over vaccination.

Kennedy will now speak on President Donald Trump’s proposed 2026 budget, which was released Friday. The Republican-led proposal seeks deep cuts to domestic programs, notably slashing funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—two key agencies under the HHS umbrella.

His upcoming testimony also comes as the U.S. faces growing public health concerns, including rising measles cases and bird flu outbreaks. Kennedy, a known vaccine skeptic, has drawn criticism for promoting alternative treatments and spreading misinformation about immunizations. While he recently acknowledged vaccines as the best protection against measles, his past statements have fueled controversy, especially during recent surges of preventable diseases.

As the Senate prepares to scrutinize the administration’s healthcare agenda and budget cuts, Kennedy’s remarks are expected to draw heightened attention from lawmakers, public health officials, and advocacy groups.

The hearing will be closely watched for its implications on U.S. health policy, pandemic preparedness, and the federal government’s commitment to funding critical health research and disease prevention.