RFK Jr. Faces House Scrutiny Over HHS Budget Cuts and Vaccine Policy

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Testified before the House Ways and Means Committee on April 16, 2026, marking his first congressional appearance in months as he defended the Trump administration’s proposed budget for his department. The hearing centered on a more than 12% cut to HHS funding and Kennedy’s efforts to reshape federal health policy, including changes to vaccine recommendations and dietary guidelines.

During the session, Kennedy emphasized the administration’s focus on reducing waste, fraud, and abuse within HHS whereas promoting reforms to federal nutrition guidelines. Republicans on the committee praised his approach, describing him as a “breath of fresh air” and encouraging him to highlight recent departmental actions. In contrast, Democrats challenged Kennedy on what they characterized as hypocrisy regarding fraud prevention, questioned the rationale behind specific program cuts, and criticized his rollback of vaccine messaging, which they argued has contributed to preventable health risks.

The exchange grew tense at times, with Kennedy raising his voice in response to Democratic lawmakers who accused him of misrepresenting his record and policy intentions. He pushed back against claims that his reforms were undermining public health efforts, maintaining that his actions align with the administration’s broader goals of efficiency and accountability in federal health programs.

This hearing is part of an anticipated series of seven budget appearances Kennedy will develop across various congressional committees and subcommittees over the following week as the administration seeks to advance its fiscal and policy agenda for HHS.