White House acknowledges problems in RFK Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' report

Sen Alsobrooks said Safe to Sleep was under a group his aunt Eunice Kennedy started. She is arguing budgets cut and he is arguing that monies may be cut but consolidations. She is challenging him on what Agencies are and where they reside. Not a happy exchange. @SenateHELP

Sen Alsobrooks challenged Kennedy on he couldn't' answer anything specific of his Agency. She asked -- you aren't the right person for the job. He argued he is not supportive of science. She asked for Safe to Sleep Campaign and where it's housed. He got it wrong. @SenateHELP

Sen Blunt Rochester and shuttering programs focused on newborns and children. Concern that there is no real compassion and that all of them continue to hear from constituents. @SenateHELP

Sen Scott and getting rid of dyes. It was done before by a cereal company but people didn't want it -- they wanted the previous bright colors. So people may want it too. And no studies have shown problems with dyes. Even in Europe. @SenateHELP

Sen Scott underscored that minority health will continue because these are not DEI programs. He cited the issue with sickle cell disease which is primarily a health issue of African Americans. Glad he underscored this @SenateHELP

Kennedy on WTC program - it will continue but didn't commit to its coming back full on. Firefighters registry under NIOSH has been cancelled. Sending a disastrous message according to Senator Kim. @SenateHELP

NJ Sen Kim: Question about WTC health program cut (from 911). Kennedy restored it but was part of overall budget cuts based on NIOSH cuts. Not as careful as possible -- decisions are being rushed. Kennedy -- more you wait, more inertia sets in. @SenateHELP

Sen Markey -- Brought up 'brutal' cuts to budgets to find funding for tax cuts for billionaires. Has "make America sick again" book entered into proceedings. Individual cases. @SenateHELP

Sen Kennedy and autism database. Many databases exist at HHS already. I've read what parents were concerned about -- labeling their kids and not being given the chance to NOT be a part of it. No one questioned the science so don't confuse it. @SenateHELP

Sen Hickenlooper wants Kennedy to push back on some cuts -- basic science and research and NIOSH. @SenateHELP

I'm getting the sense Kennedy is either not capable of managing an Agency HHS' size, or he is being told what to do or things are getting done and eventually he's told. @SenateHELP

May want to 'stop' pharma advertising. Can't believe Republicans are arguing that. I get Bernie Sanders but Republicans? SMH @SenateHELP

Hawley on mifepristone -- abortion pill. Will Kennedy will do a review? Kennedy wants a complete review by FDA. Any policy change goes to DJT. Hum. Now on to DTC advertising. Pharma DTC is "insidious" says Kennedy. Addressing tax deducations eliminated for pharma ads @SenateHELP

Sen Kennedy on Geier -- only living scientist who has seen a specific vaccine database. Hassan argues that Geier is not a scientist. @SenateHELP

Senator Hassan and measles outbreak. Kennedy says best way to handle measles outbreak is to vaccinate them. She brings up Geier --- who endangered children via his practices. Kennedy says he is defaming Geier. Sen Hassan did not back down. Is David Geier at HHS? @SenateHELP

Sen Husted -- Supporting MAHA focus on all of us being healthier. Kennedy said he has gotten rid of petrolium dyes, gotten rid of graft, getting a new food pyramid out there. get soda and canday off of SNAP. Husted -- causing obesity, poor QoL. Taxpayer money. @SenateHELP

Sen Kane said many of his colleagues can't get questions answered and wondering if it's all the folks cut @SenateHELP

Sen Kane held up a poster of a question from his casework team and a constituent request. @SenateHELP

Sen Kane -- who was responsible for cutting 2500 probationary workers. Really before Kennedy. But since then, he was iinvolved in cutting 10,000 jobs. 20,000 who is let go -- how many veterans? Disproportionally let go and higher number of probationary workers. @SenateHELP