Lawmakers Question RFK Jr. Over Major NIH, HHS Budget Cuts

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced intense bipartisan criticism in Congressional hearings over his management of the department, particularly concerning deep staffing cuts, budget reductions, and controversial policy shifts. Lawmakers expressed alarm about the elimination of the CDC's lead exposure unit amid ongoing public health issues in Milwaukee, the delayed funding for Head Start programs, and significant cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including firing 1,200 workers and slashing $2.7 billion in research funding. Kennedy defended his restructuring efforts as necessary for creating a more efficient department focused on promoting healthier lifestyles, pushing back against accusations that his actions jeopardize vaccine programs, cancer research, and maternal health. Despite admitting that NIH cuts will harm public health, he was often unable to provide specific details about staff reductions and declined to endorse routine childhood vaccinations, further drawing criticism from Democrats. The hearings revealed deep concern about the impact of these changes on vulnerable populations, with some lawmakers questioning Kennedy's grasp of his agency's operations and the broader consequences for public health. Overall, the hearings highlighted the contentious and uncertain path forward for the nation's health policies under Kennedy's leadership.