During a heated Senate hearing on Thursday, Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, accused Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of endangering children through his policies. The exchange occurred during Kennedy’s testimony before the Senate Finance Committee, where Wyden criticized Kennedy’s approach, which he claimed puts children in harm’s way by prioritizing conspiracy theories over scientific consensus.
Kennedy, however, challenged Wyden’s record, citing a significant increase in child chronic diseases and infant mortality rates during Wyden’s 20-25 year tenure. The heated debate highlighted broader tensions over health policy and the role of science in public health decisions. Kennedy’s testimony followed a backlash from over 1,000 HHS employees and Senator Bernie Sanders, both calling for his resignation over recent agency changes and the firing of CDC director Susan Monarez.
Wyden’s remarks emphasized his view that Kennedy’s policies have led to preventable child deaths, which he argued are an ‘acceptable sacrifice’ for a ‘fundamentally cruel and defies common sense’ agenda. Kennedy, in response, accused Wyden of ignoring the deteriorating health conditions of children during his time in office, suggesting that the rising rates of chronic diseases and infant mortality are not due to his actions but rather to the policies implemented during the Biden administration.
Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, a Republican from Idaho, intervened to grant Wyden another chance to speak, though his microphone remained turned off, indicating the intensity of the exchange. The hearing underscored the deepening political divide over health policy and the role of evidence-based science in public health decisions. Critics of Kennedy point to his firing of former CDC director Susan Monarez as a significant factor in the growing backlash against his leadership at HHS.
As the debate unfolded, the underlying issue of child health and the impact of political agendas on medical policy became central to the discussion. The conflicting testimonies and accusations reflect the broader struggle between scientific integrity and politically motivated decisions in shaping public health initiatives. The hearing is expected to continue to be a focal point in the ongoing debate over health care and policy in the United States.