Five takeaways from RFK Jr’s first confirmation hearing

As is typical, the nature and tone of the questions often differed depending on which side of the political aisle they were coming from.

Democratic senators largely grilled him on his past anti-vaccine comments, his promotion of misinformation on health issues, and his knowledge of the US healthcare system, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Some Republicans, however, focused their questions on Kennedy’s advocacy for eradicating chronic disease in children and his criticism of the US food industry.

One Republican senator in particular, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, said that Kennedy was the “answer to his prayers,” and that he was “awesome”.

Johnson himself has been criticised over anti-vaccine misinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As proceedings ended, Republican Senator and Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo gave Kennedy his stamp of approval.

“I think you have come through well, and deserve to be confirmed,” he told Kennedy.

Democratic Senator Ron Wyden, on the other hand, accused Kennedy of delivering a “word salad” and ducking issues raised about his past anti-vaccine remarks.

“I find your presentation to be both untrustworthy and unprepared,” Wyden said.

Wednesday’s hearing was before the Senate’s finance committee. Kennedy faces a second confirmation hearing on Thursday before the health, education, labour and pensions committee, where he will face more questions from senators.

The committees will then vote on his nomination before it can pass to the whole Senate for consideration.