RFK Jr. elusive answering senators' vaccine questions
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Kennedy testifying at the Senate Finance Committee last week. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gave a series of vague or elusive answers to written questions from senators probing his vaccine views, refusing to walk back several previous controversial positions.
Why it matters: Decision time is quickly approaching for senators who must vote on whether to confirm Kennedy as Health and Human Services secretary, and he's certainly not making the vote easy for the handful who are on the fence.
Driving the news: Kennedy will face his first major hurdle Tuesday, when the Finance Committee has announced it will vote on whether to advance his nomination to a vote by the full Senate.
- How a senator votes in committee doesn't bind them to vote the same way on the floor, assuming that the nomination advances.
What he's saying: Kennedy answered several of members' vaccine-related questions in a way unlikely to satisfy those already concerned about his controversial views.
A sampling ...
On whether he believes the debunked theory that vaccines cause autism:
- "If confirmed, I will do nothing as HHS secretary that makes it difficult or discourages people from taking vaccines. As I testified to the Committee, I am not anti-vaccination. I support transparency and sound data for vaccines."
On whether he stands by his statement that "There is virtually no science assessing the overall health effects of the vaccination schedule or its component vaccines":
- "That was the conclusion of the 2013 Institute of Medicine report."
On whether he would "seek the withdrawal of any drug or vaccine currently on the market" or "interfere in any [Food and Drug Administration] decision regarding review or approval of vaccines":
- "If confirmed, I will ensure a review of drugs for safety and efficacy in accordance with the law."
On his position on the HPV vaccine:
- "I support data transparency and the individual's decision regarding a vaccine."
On whether people should receive the polio vaccine:
- "Americans should make their own decisions about their health," and an answer in the affirmative when asked whether he believes the polio vaccine is safe and effective.
On whether he thinks the MMR vaccine is safe and effective:
- "I am not anti-vaccination. I am pro-safety."
Yes, but: In the same Q&A, Kennedy said he's divesting his financial interest in legal challenges against Gardasil, an HPV vaccine made by Merck.
- Sen. Elizabeth Warren had grilled Kennedy on his ability to collect fees for referring clients to a law firm suing Merck during one of last week's hearings, making the case that he was financially incentivized to take anti-vaccine measures if confirmed as secretary.
Go deeper: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation is a coin toss
