Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Faces Congress Amid Measles Outbreak

On May 14, 2025, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before both the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, marking his first congressional appearance since assuming office. The hearings addressed significant issues, including substantial restructuring within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the nation's largest measles outbreak in 25 years.

Kennedy's testimony comes amid the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts targeting key health agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These cuts have led to significant staffing reductions within HHS. During his opening remarks, Kennedy emphasized that simply increasing funding is not the solution to health crises, indicating a more strategic approach to health policy. axios.com

The hearings also scrutinized Kennedy's handling of the ongoing measles outbreak, which has resulted in over 1,000 cases nationwide. As of May 9, 2025, the CDC reported 1,001 measles cases across 11 states, with Texas being the epicenter, particularly in Gaines County. The outbreak has led to three deaths, all among unvaccinated individuals. apnews.com

Kennedy, a prominent environmental attorney and activist, has been a controversial figure due to his longstanding skepticism toward vaccines. His confirmation as Health Secretary faced opposition from public health experts and lawmakers concerned about his views on vaccination. Despite assurances during his confirmation hearing to uphold vaccine safety measures and public health guidelines, Kennedy has raised doubts about vaccine efficacy in public statements and made significant cuts to vaccination initiatives at HHS. apnews.com

In response to the outbreak, Kennedy stated, "Ending the measles outbreak is a top priority for me and my extraordinary team at HHS." reuters.com

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals growing concern among Americans over the Trump administration's handling of the measles outbreak, with only 31% confident in the government's response. Despite this, 86% of Americans still believe the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe for children. However, vaccination rates have declined—from 95.2% among kindergarteners in 2019–2020 to 92.7% in 2023–2024—raising concerns among public health experts about potential vaccine hesitancy, which may be amplified by mixed messages from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reuters.com

Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. The current outbreak is the largest in 25 years, highlighting a significant public health challenge. reuters.com

Kennedy's congressional testimony underscores the challenges facing the nation's public health infrastructure amid budget cuts and a significant measles outbreak. His leadership and policy decisions will likely continue to be scrutinized as the administration navigates these pressing health crises.