Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered a fiery defense of his reform agenda during a heated House Appropriations Committee hearing, clashing with Democratic lawmakers over his food dye elimination success, department reorganization, and Medicaid funding.
Quick Takes
- Kennedy touted his success in eliminating petroleum-based food dyes within 100 days, challenging Rep. Rosa DeLauro who had worked on the issue for 20 years.
- He defended consolidating multiple HHS offices to reduce redundancy while maintaining funding for essential services.
- Kennedy emphasized that Medicaid cuts targeted fraud, waste, and abuse, not beneficiary services.
- The HHS Secretary faced skepticism regarding agency layoffs but insisted no working scientists were fired in the reorganization.
- Kennedy highlighted the poor state of children’s nutrition in America, particularly in programs serving low-income families.
Confrontation Over Children’s Health
The House Appropriations Committee hearing quickly turned contentious as Kennedy defended his department’s priorities against Democratic criticism. In one particularly heated exchange with Representative Rosa DeLauro, Kennedy showcased his administration’s accomplishment in removing harmful petroleum-based food dyes from American food products, an initiative he achieved remarkably quickly compared to previous efforts. Kennedy pointed out the contrast between his rapid results and years of previous inaction, emphasizing his commitment to tangible improvements in children’s health.
Kennedy’s focus on removing synthetic dyes stems from research suggesting links between colors like Red 40 and behavioral issues in children, including hyperactivity. Under his leadership, major food manufacturers have agreed to phase out these artificial additives by 2026. The secretary criticized the current state of children’s nutrition, particularly in government-funded programs like Head Start, describing American children as “among the sickest in the world” due to diets loaded with sugar, chemicals, and artificial ingredients.
Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen is removed by law enforcement for interrupting RFK Jr. hearing.
I hope their sales tank. I'm sick of that left wing ice cream. I've been boycotting them for years! pic.twitter.com/OVCXafTnFx
— PAMELA HENSLEY🇺🇸 (@PamelaHensley22) May 14, 2025
Department Reorganization Under Scrutiny
During the hearing, Kennedy faced intense questioning about his sweeping reorganization of the Health and Human Services Department. Democrats expressed concern about consolidating offices focused on women’s and minority health, suggesting these changes could harm vulnerable populations. Kennedy countered by explaining that his reforms maintain funding for these essential services while eliminating wasteful administrative redundancies that had developed over decades within the department structure.
When accused of making harmful cuts, Kennedy described the characterization as a “canard,” insisting that his reorganization efforts were designed to make the department more efficient without sacrificing essential services. Democrats pointed to reports of disruptions in research and clinical trials nationwide, but Kennedy maintained that the changes were necessary to address longstanding inefficiencies he inherited upon taking office. He specifically refuted claims that working scientists had been terminated in the process.
Medicaid Funding Debate
Another contentious point during the hearing centered on proposed Medicaid funding adjustments. Representative Josh Harder raised concerns about potential cuts affecting beneficiaries, but Kennedy forcefully responded that the congressman was mischaracterizing the nature of the changes. Rather than reducing benefits to those in need, Kennedy explained that the adjustments specifically target documented fraud, waste, and abuse within the massive healthcare program, which has been a longstanding problem acknowledged by officials from both parties.
Throughout the hearing, Kennedy repeatedly accused Democratic lawmakers of prioritizing partisan talking points over substantive policy discussions. He urged a bipartisan approach to children’s health issues, emphasizing that “there are no partisan distinctions among children.” Despite the confrontational tone of many exchanges, Kennedy maintained that his department’s reforms aim to enhance operational efficiency and improve public health outcomes across America, regardless of political affiliation.
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In combative hearings, Kennedy defends HHS cuts, backtracks — and lashes out
Sparks Fly At Hearing As RFK Jr. Takes On Dems For Playing Politics With Health
