In his opening statement, Kennedy rejected the anti-vaccine label some have given him.
He told senators he’s not anti-vaccine, but has asked “uncomfortable questions.”
While Kennedy has called vaccines unsafe, in his opening remarks he said all of his children are vaccinated.
“I believe that vaccines play a critical role in health care,” Kennedy told the committee.
Democrat Senator Maggie Hassan grilled Kennedy about his shifting views on abortion.
“Mr. Kennedy, I’m confused,” she said. “You have clearly stated in the past that bodily autonomy is one of your core values. The question is: Do you stand for this value or not? When was it that you decided to sell out the values you’ve had your whole life in order to be given power by President Trump”
In response, Kennedy repeated again that he agrees with Trump that “every abortion is a tragedy.”
Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford questioned Kennedy on how he would approach the family planning program Title X.
The previous Trump administration prohibited Title X grantees from referring clients for abortion services — a policy reversed by President Joe Biden.
“I’m going to support President Trump’s policies on Title X,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy added that he agrees with Trump that “the states should control abortion.”
