Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. clashed with Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) on Thursday during a heated Capitol Hill hearing.
The Health Secretary tore into Bennet after the Democrat repeatedly accused Kennedy of lying about vaccine safety and changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Kennedy has faced relentless criticism from Democrats over his vaccine skepticism.
He had already fielded several antagonistic questions before Bennet launched into accusations that he had stacked a CDC vaccine advisory panel with skeptics.
Bennet, an advocate of vaccines and pharmaceutical companies, charged that Kennedy had “reconfigured” the committee and filled it with individuals critical of mRNA technology.
Kennedy acknowledged that some members — including Dr. Robert Malone, who helped pioneer mRNA vaccine technology — had raised concerns about long-term risks.
However, RFK Jr. stressed that he did not expect sweeping changes to childhood vaccine recommendations.
“I think it’s critical for you to share the evidence that this panel will rely on,” Bennet pressed.
“Will you give the American people … six weeks in advance, the record that they’re going to rely on to make these decisions?
“Will you make it transparent for the American people?”
“All the evidence is transparent,” Kennedy shot back.
“Will you make it in advance, transparent for the American people so they can comment?” Bennet demanded again.
“On all the evidence?” Kennedy responded.
“It’s transparent for the first time in history, and you were never there complaining when the pharmaceutical companies were picking those people and then running their products through with no safety…”
“You can … characterize it any way you want,” Bennet shouted.
“I quoted them today. What I said was accurate.
“What you said were lies!”
Kennedy immediately challenged Bennet’s denial of vaccine risks:
“Senator, are you saying the mRNA ‘vaccine’ has never been associated with myocarditis and pericarditis?”
Bennet attempted to steer back to his line of attack.
“I am saying, I am simply trying to say that the people that you have put on that panel, after firing the entire —”
“You are evading the question!” Kennedy interjected.
That drew an outburst from Bennet:
“No, I’m asking the questions here!
“I’m asking the questions, Mr. Kennedy, on behalf of parents and schools and teachers all over the United States of America who deserve so much better than your leadership.
“That’s what this conversation is about.”
Kennedy held firm, closing the exchange with a sharp retort:
“They deserve the truth!
“And that’s what we’re going to give them.
“For the first time in the history of that agency!”
WATCH:
.@SecKennedy says the Trump Administration's @HHSGov answers to the American people, not the pharmaceutical companies, for the first time in history — sending @SenatorBennet into a deluded fit of rage.
Must watch. pic.twitter.com/CUsoGqrr8e
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 4, 2025
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