Secretary RFK Jr. Brilliantly Battles Democrats in Contentious HHS Budget Hearing
Kennedy approached the hearings as a gladiator entering the arena to defend science and the American people.
On Wednesday, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared before both the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.
This marked his first congressional testimony since taking office in February. The hearings centered on the Trump administration’s proposed fiscal year 2026 HHS budget, which includes deep cuts to public health agencies, significant layoffs, and major organizational restructuring.
There were many interesting clips that streamed on social media as a result of that hearing…all of which make Kennedy look like a gladiator defending both science and Americans from the pharmaceutical-media complex that the Democrats support. Elite media will claim that our new HHS Secretary was “grilled” or forced to “defend” himself.
However, the reality is he gave everyone much to consider, if they were willing to listen.
I will start with the one I thought was most important: the National Institutes of Health funding research based on a now discredited paper on the cause of Alzheimer’s Disease.
One of the most shocking revelations came when Kennedy pointed to corruption inside NIH as the reason we still don’t have a cure for Alzheimer’s.
“For 20 years, because of utter corruption and fraud, we were directing Alzheimer’s research to one hypothesis, and any other… pic.twitter.com/6OxiIpgsCH
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) May 14, 2025
As a reminder, in 2006, a paper published in Nature by Sylvain Lesné and colleagues from the University of Minnesota claimed to identify a specific subtype of amyloid-beta (Aβ*56) as a key culprit in Alzheimer’s disease, showing that this protein assembly caused dementia symptoms in rats. However, a 2022 investigation showed that images used as part of the dataset were manipulated.
The controversy surrounding the amyloid hypothesis is part of a broader concern about scientific fraud and the lack of replication in research.
Kennedy’s call for at least 20% of NIH budgets to be allocated to replication studies addresses the rare occurrence of such practices, which is critical for validating scientific findings.
This is supported by the need for transparency in publishing raw data and peer reviews, as current practices often fail to ensure the integrity of research outcomes.
The implications of this issue extend beyond Alzheimer’s research, affecting public trust in scientific institutions and the allocation of research funds. The NIH’s role in funding and controlling scientific discourse has been criticized, especially in light of its influence over a $30 billion annual grant process, which can shape research outcomes and opinions. This situation underscores the need for systemic changes to prevent similar occurrences and ensure that scientific research remains a pursuit of truth rather than a battleground for entrenched interests.
Next on the list of my favorite bits is his interaction with Connecticut Democratic Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. She accused Kennedy of destroying the “crown jewels” of the health system.
To which Kennedy replies: “Anybody thinks that we did old standard medicine in this country from these institutions, look at our children. They’re the sickest children in the world.”
He then addresses DeLauro: “Laura, you say that – excuse me, Congressman DeLauro, you say that you’ve worked for 20 years on getting food to die out. Give me credit. I got it out in 100 days.
Kennedy then passionately pleads for collaboration: “All right? So let’s work together and do something that we all believe in in this country for God’s sake. We can all do that together.”
He emphasizes unity across political lines: “It’s not – there’s no such thing as Republican children or Democratic children. There’s just kids, and we should all be concerned with them.”
Later, Kennedy clashed with Rep. DeLauro once more. This time, he let loose.
“Look at our children, they’re the sickest children in the world,” he said passionately.
Kennedy delivered a direct blow to DeLauro, noting he succeeded where she failed.
“Congresswoman DeLauro, you… pic.twitter.com/VBAL4NSniV
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) May 14, 2025
As Kennedy began his opening statement in front of the Senate, several individuals in the audience stood and loudly accused him of causing harm, chanting, “RFK kills people with AIDS.” Capitol Police quickly intervened, removing the demonstrators from the hearing room, with some being physically tackled to the ground to restore order.
Ben Cohen, a Ben & Jerry’s co-founder, was among the demonstrators, which makes sense given Kennedy’s priorities for healthy, preservative-free food.
United States Capitol Police (USCP) confirmed to Fox News Digital that seven people were ultimately arrested following the disruption at Kennedy’s hearing. Among those arrested was Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen, who was arrested for obstruction. https://t.co/U8g9pWS9D3
— The Conservative M. D. 🗨️🇺🇸 (@WarriorsForAll) May 14, 2025
The hearing has been described as a “masterclass,” and I am inclined to agree. Kennedy displayed his years of experience as a lawyer to great effect, effectively countering the hostility and ignorance.
There are more clips on many other subjects. I urge you to watch the exchanges instead of relying on the pharma-paid media accounts of what occurred during the hearing.
RFK Jr. just walked into Congress and took down his biggest critics in one fell swoop.
This was a masterclass.
A dentist congressman came out swinging on fluoride. By the time Kennedy finished, he realized he picked the wrong fight.
Then, a Democrat tried to accuse Kennedy of… pic.twitter.com/jEREQFZwCL
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) May 14, 2025
More video is here:
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Comments
I don’t agree with everything Kennedy says (and he posits some demonstrably false ‘scientific’ ideas at times). But, he’s also indisputably correct when he talks about the health of our children particularly in comparison to the health of kids in other highly developed nations. American kids are laughably obese and that obesity is driving a number of diseases that are both lifelong and costly to manage. I don’t pretend to know what the answers are. But, to continue to simply ignore the problem, as many in Congress apparently want to do to keep from offending anyone, is a perilous decision.
They’re not afraid of offending anyone. They’re against any ideas RFKjr has because of TDS.
RFKjr is on Trumps team. Ergo, they’re against him and his ideas.
They don’t care about Healthcare as much as they HATE Donald J. Trump.
That’s their entire platform
This LONG predates Kennedy & Trump. When Obama came into office, he moved the ‘health education’ curriculum to the far, far left. In public schools today, particularly in urban areas, students are no longer learning about the dangers of obesity because the schools adopted a policy of not ‘fat shaming’ anyone, instead embracing the laughable ideal of ‘body-type diversity.” They then began using the classroom time that they used to spend on nutrition and exercise to instead indoctrinate the students about ‘gender identity.’ So, here we are; a bunch of morbidly obese teens who are gender confused.
All you need to do to prove how sick kids are is look at the number who are incapable of passing a physical fitness test to enter the military. The rate of obesity is skyrocketing across all groups. Still, we have people arguing that Coke, the number one purchased item bought with welfare SNAP, should still be able to be bought. Take a look in the grocery baskets of obese people paying with a flag waving EBT card. Hot Pockets, soda, ice cream, frozen pizza. It’s appalling. Taxpayers throw money at them to buy foods making them obese then we get to pay the medical bills.
americas obesity is either dna or bad parenting
whatever the reason
its not a problem for the government to “solve”
b/c we are (once again) being conditioned to accept others problems as OUR PROBLEM is part of the welfare state mentality…..so that the government can continue to conquer and divide
thats not how the government is suppose to “promote the general welfare”
It’s not DNA causing the problem, but DNA is involved. Look up Weegee’s photo of Coney Island, circa 1940. Nary an overweight person in sight. Obesity was becoming a problem by the 1980s. Genes don’t rampage through the population in such a short time. Lifestyle and diet have more to do with it, as we evolved to accumulate fat to assure we survive short periods of scarcity. We’ve always had these genes. But we are now surrounded with a surfeit of calorie-rich, nutrition-poor foods.
When i was a kid in the 1960s, I used to go to a daily summer camp. On an entire busload of kids, there was one overweight kid (known as “Tons of Fun”). That was the norm. Fifteen years later, not so much, and worse today.
still not the governments job no matter the reasons ( and lets agree your post is 10000% correct)
It is not DNA, that is a lazy theory so people’s feelies aren’t hurt for their obesity. It probably is bad parenting which means it can be fixed through education. This doesn’t mean we as taxpayers have to pay for it. How about restrictions on what that ent card can buy or better yet, government stores full of rice, meat and vegetables that all they can buy. I’ve had enough of standing behind people buying junk then paying cash for beer and cigarettes
the gov tried to stop the purchase of non essentials using tax funded programs and lost ( though they are going to try again to stop those purchases)
with some people their dna doesnt allow them to be “in shape”
sure some people use it as an excuse 100% agree
but it doesnt mean that it doesnt apply to some people
I believe this is where, at the start of his testimony, some unhinged leftists made a scene that caused RFK jr to jump out of his seat and turn towards the protestors.
Considering his Father and uncle were both assassinated, and multiple attempts were already made on Trump, it’s understandable that he’s a bit jumpy during such incidents.
Regardless what anyone thinks of him, he doesn’t deserve such treatment. Personally, I thought it was disgraceful.
Those are Democrat agitators allowed into the hearing room by Democrat staffers for this purpose.
So much for jailing people for “interrupting an official proceeding,” huh. Same thing happened at the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, not that he learned anything from it. One standard for sh*tlibs, another for everybody else.
Please, please tell me that Ben Cohen was one of the loons wrestled to the ground.
He was and was manhandled out. Funny thing is being from VT I’ve met both Ben and Jerry a number of times. Both are leftists but pretty nice guys like Bernie who I’ve also talked to and have a buddy in construction who worked on his lake Champlain camp
In person they are great
Of course, such charisma is a common sociopathic trait.
Amish have the same or better lifespan as the rest of us with little or no healthcare.
Kennedy may be worn on some issues, but he is correct to concentrate on chronic diseases caused by lifestyle.
The Amish also shun McDonalds. That can’t hurt.
Ponder Ben Cohen, a wealthy Dhimmi-crat fanatic, seeking relevance in his old age by pulling a redux of 60’s-era agitprop. It’s simply embarrassing.
Yesterday, I mowed the lawn. There were crickets in it, everywhere. When I paused the mower behind them, they were smart enough to get out of the way. In other words, even with their tiny brains they have common sense…unlike sh*tlibs.
When someone offered to hoist me aboard the RFK bandwagon, I demurred. I’d rather walk. It’s healthier.
Kennedy is a scoundrel. It’s unfortunate that Trump brought him in, frankly.
agree
been saying the same
trumps strong points have shown that he is willing to bring on people like kennedy but (hopefully) dump him if need be
gov run will always equal trouble so their responsibilities must remain in the
military
courts
treasury
let the market go after the solutions and the government protect the rights of them to do so
I watched clips of the recent hearings with Kennedy, Noem, Patel and Besset. It was clear the Dems were the dumbest people in the room and expected the sound bites they were getting to raise money from the even dumber people that support them.
Just another member of the MAGA clown show.
So embarassing. Other countries are shaking their heads at what a klown show we have going on over here.
Does he still think Covid was a CIA plot .
LAFFRIOT
https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/11/15/rfk-jrs-conspiracy-theories-heres-what-trumps-pick-for-health-secretary-has-promoted/
LOL, you’re such a dim-witted fool.
Dotard-crime boss, Biden, was the clown. Unable to ambulate properly; falling while ascending the stairs of Air Force One; reading his stage direction notes out loud; requiring “cheat sheet” notecards for every single public appearance (printed in 60 font size, no less); mumbling incoherently ad nauseam and slurring his speech; acting inappropriately in close contact with children and women; falling off a stationary bicycle; etc.
Only a dense and witless leftist fanatic, such as yourself, would deny the implications of these incidents, and, refrain from characterizing them as truly clownish behavior.
It’s amusing how Murphy and Buttigieg are now sporting “Jimmy Kimmel” beards to attempt to restore their lost manhood. It is failing.
It is interesting to note that a “beard” is a term used by some closeted homosexual men to refer to a woman they have married as cover to hide their true homosexual nature.
I suspect that these Democrats are using their beards for a similar reason.
It goes back to Shakespeare, and he didn’t invent it, he just used it.
I’m so old I remember when RFK Jr. was a hero to the radical left.
….and if he had thrown in his support to Biden all the MAGA boogerpicks would be calling him a whack job. SMH
same way all the bidenites are attacking fjb now
its the way it goes
Perhaps some would have…on the other hand Trump and his campaign/policy team were clever enough to bring RFK JR and his supporters into the fold. Biden and then Harris had the same opportunity but they and their campaign teams weren’t interested in building a coalition instead they took the folks who have legit concerns about vaccines who had been politically at home with d/prog very much for granted.
he still is
his wanting the government to control big pharma
the food we ingest etc etc IS THE RADICAL LEFT
this is just a moment in time
Obviously, you’re not paying attention. The government has already long controlled what we eat by allowing the food industries to use many questionable chemicals to process, preserve, and color our food. Kennedy wants these products removed from our food. More natural food has got to be better for us, even if only a fraction of the chemicals now being used are actually harmful.
why you want the government in control is something you must pay attention to
the gov allowed the companies to do so b/c after ww2 they took over school lunches and then of course after the civil rights fiasco it grew exponentially and so the gov needed to make sure as much food was as readily available as possible not to mention would last lont
correction: long
Basic food safety regs are fine. Requiring transparency in what chemical additives are present and their potential health effects is fine.
Consumers shouldn’t be told they can’t eat X but to make an informed decision for themselves about whether to eat X or avoid it they gotta have the info up front at purchase. Consumption of unpasteurized milk is a great example of the Govt inserting itself for little to no reason. We had unpasteurized milk for millennia and if an adult wants it they can take the risk.
The only real angle here for govt is in govt provided healthcare insurance. If Uncle Sugar is paying the tab then Uncle Sugar gets to choose what items on the menu you can consume. If one declines the offer of Uncle Sugar paying the tab then they can order what they wish. If I was running Medicaid/Chips/Obamacare every person on them would be taking a PT test quarterly and placed on a directed weight loss regimen to lose 4lbs a week to get to a non obese weight. Penalty would be dismissal from govt paid/subsidized health IN and healthcare.
Watching him hammer Democrat loons definitely was a master class. But look at the man’s training regimen: holiday family meals with Kennedys. There is no better.
Gop’er sums up ( while trying to defend the gop agenda) how the gop is screwing it up:
Senator Daniel Zolnikov, the bill sponsor in Montana: “People said this bill is against low-income individuals but let me be clear: I am not against low-income folks having a soda or a treat.
But I am against the endless marketing to parents and our children that processed food and drinks is the equivalent to that of produce, fruits, and meat. And as our health worsens and obesity rates increase, our healthcare costs continue to balloon, putting our medical system at stake.”
so why as a gop guy isnt he saying
its NOT OUR JOB TO PAY FOR YOUR FOOD OR YOUR HEALTHCARE????
Because libertarianism is outside the Overton Window.