Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), faced intense questioning during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday (January 29). The Senate Finance Committee grilled Kennedy on his qualifications and controversial views, particularly his past vaccine denialism and conspiracy theories.

The hearing began at 10 a.m. ET, with lawmakers expressing significant reservations about Kennedy's suitability for the role. The confirmation process is expected to be contentious, as Kennedy's nomination is not guaranteed.

Kennedy pushed back against his critics and downplayed some of his controversial views on topics like vaccines during his opening statement.

“News reports have claimed that I am anti-vaccine or anti-industry. Well, I am neither; I am pro-safety. I worked for years to raise awareness about the mercury and toxic chemicals in fish, but that didn’t make me anti-fish. All of my kids are vaccinated, and I believe vaccines have a critical role in healthcare,” he said.

Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon slammed Kennedy during his opening remarks, accusing him of embracing "conspiracy theories, quacks, charlatans, especially when it comes to the safety and efficacy of vaccines."

"Mr. Kennedy is fond of saying he's not making recommendations about whether parents should vaccinate their children. He's just asking questions and giving people choices," Wyden said. "It's a slippery tactic to dodge any real responsibility for his words and actions, and it is, in my view, absurd coming from somebody who's trying to win confirmation for a job that is entirely about making recommendations."

During the hearing, Kennedy waded into the debate about abortion drugs, saying that he wants the National Institute of Health and the Food and Drug Administration to look into the safety of mifepristone, one of the two drugs used to provide medicated abortions.

He was challenged by Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, who told him, "the studies are there, the safety is proved, the science is there."

If confirmed, Kennedy could potentially bring significant changes to the HHS and its various divisions.