Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sought to distance himself from U.S. measles outbreaks on Friday at a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing on the administration’s fiscal 2027 budget request.
The hearing, part of Kennedy’s weeklong tour of Congress on the budget, was relatively light on spending discussions, as Democrats who have repeatedly requested such a hearing with Kennedy looked to pin him down on a range of issues. The hearing was often combative, with Democrats drawing attention to issues such as vaccines and Kennedy’s focus on school nutrition.
Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., chair of the committee, repeatedly reminded members to keep their tone appropriate, noting that a second-grade teacher should be able to safely present the hearing for kids.
