| Even before the hearing on the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the US Department of Health and Human Services started, it was clear this would not be a run-of-the-mill Senate Q&A session. The overflow crowd filled the halls. Some people who made it into the audience sported "CONFIRM RFK JR" hats, while others wore white doctors' coats. Many chanted "Bobby, Bobby, Bobby!" when Kennedy entered the hearing room. Kennedy began by saying that all his children have been vaccinated and he believed "vaccines have a critical role in health care." This prompted one of the many protesters to shout, "He lies — first do no harm." Then Democratic members of the Senate Finance Committee who'd previously expressed concern about Kennedy's doubts about vaccine safety came out swinging. Ranking member Ron Wyden of Oregon said Kennedy "has embraced conspiracy theories, quacks, charlatans, especially when it comes to the safety and efficacy of vaccines." Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island told Kennedy "if you want to move from advocacy to public responsibility, Americans are going to need to hear a clear and trustworthy recantation of what you have said on vaccinations." "Frankly, you frighten people," Whitehouse added. Abortion also made for heated exchanges. Kennedy, who had backed a woman's right to an abortion while he was running for president, told the committee that he was "going to support President Trump's policies" and let the states control the procedure. Maggie Hassan, Democrat from New Hampshire, reminded Kennedy that he'd come to her state in 2023 and said "I'm pro-choice." "When was it that you decided to sell out the values you had your whole life in order to be given power by President Trump?" she asked. Kennedy replied: "Senator, I agree with President Trump that every abortion is a tragedy." Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat from Nevada, posed a hypothetical case where a woman facing a life-threatening bleed during a miscarriage needs an emergency abortion. If she lives in a state that bans the procedure, did he agree that federal law protects her right to emergency care? "I don't know. The answer to that is I don't know," Kennedy replied. Many Republican senators asked about agricultural issues, even though they don't fall under HHS purview. But these questions were well received by audience members who support clean food and Kennedy's Make America Healthy Again campaign. "We need the farmers as partners if we're going to make the MAHA work," said Republican Roger Marshall of Kansas. Despite the tensions and the tough Democratic questioning, Kennedy didn't lose his temper. And though he lacked technical fluency on some issues, like mixing up Medicare and Medicaid, he kept a steady demeanor. Chairman Mike Crapo, Republican from Idaho, closed the hearing by telling Kennedy "I think that you have come through well and deserve to be confirmed." Then Kennedy got a standing ovation from the audience. — Robert Langreth | 
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