Democratic senators This week warned that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., president of President Donald Trump for the Secretary of Health and Social Services, intends to dismiss thousands of federal employees.
“I was struck by your comments at our meeting last week when you clearly told me that you intended to clean the room of professional scientists at the National Institutes of Health,” said senator Angela Alsobrooks, D-MD. An audience of the Senate, Education, Labor and Pensions of the Senate committee on Thursday. The NIH has its registered office in Bethesda, Maryland.
In response, Kennedy said he wanted to delete “those who are corrupt”.
By referring to a list developed by a conservative group targeting certain federal employees of the Department of Internal Security, Alsobrooks asked Kennedy if a similar list existed for the workforce of the HHS. The candidate said he was not aware of such a list.
Similarly, senator Mark Warner, D-VA., Said at a hearing of the Senate finance committee on Wednesday that Kennedy told him that he wanted to withdraw 2,200 people from the HHS.
Kennedy undertook to “dismiss anyone who does his job”. But after a follow -up of Warner, Kennedy said that determination would be based on his opinion.
“I guess it means that many people who have had views of the vaccines will be without work,” replied Warner.
Kennedy is known for Distribute disinformation on vaccinesEven if he said Thursday that he wanted to “restore confidence” on the vaccine program.
“If we want the adoption of vaccines, we need a trustworthy government,” he said.
Kennedy has previously threatened with federal employees which were involved in research decisions with which he does not agree; However, employment protection of the public service should largely guard against such moves.
The candidate admitted that he would need experts from NIH, Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to implement his objectives for combating chronic diseases.
“Although I have criticized certain industries and agencies, President Trump and I know that most scientists and experts really care about American health,” he said in his opening remarks. “Consequently, we will bring together all the stakeholders in pursuit of this unified objective.”
Kennedy is also committed not to revise CDC’s recommendations according to his personal convictions.
“I’m not going to go to HHS and impose my predetermined opinions on anyone at HHS,” he said.
The Democrats of the two hearings criticized Kennedy on his lack of knowledge on the functions and authorities of HHS.
“What does Medicare start a?” Senator Maggie Hassan, DN.H., asked Kennedy on Thursday.
“Medicare Part A is mainly intended for primary care or doctors,” replied Kennedy.
“No, Medicare Part A The coverage of the elderly for hospital care, ”he replied Hassan.
Kennedy also said that he did not know if the COVVI-19 vaccine managed to save millions of lives when he was asked Senator Bernie Sanders, I-VT., The Senate HELP classification member.
“You apply for the position. I mean, clearly you should know it, “said Sanders. “The scientific community has established that the coche vaccine has saved millions of lives and that you are throwing out. It is really problematic.
The NIH reported in 2022 that the coche vaccine prevented approximately 14.4 million dead in one year.
The president of the Senate, Bill Cassidy, R -La., – Who is a doctor and member of the finance committee, who will finally vote on the appointment of Kennedy – said at the end of the hearing on Thursday that he is still undecided .
“If you go out unequivocally the vaccines are sure, that does not cause autism, it would have an incredible impact,” Cassidy told Kennedy. “It’s your power. So what’s going to be? Will it be used in credibility to support many articles (of research) or will it use the credibility for Saper? And I was able to understand this for my vote. »»