U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is scheduled to testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee in mid-May, Axios reported, citing an HHS spokesperson. His appearance comes amid mounting criticism over recent job cuts within federal public health agencies and growing concerns about the nation’s preparedness to handle health emergencies, such as the ongoing measles outbreak.
Kennedy’s leadership has sparked controversy, as sweeping staffing reductions have raised alarms over weakened public health infrastructure. The HELP Committee previously requested Kennedy’s testimony regarding the department's reorganization, but a hearing did not occur as he reportedly failed to formally respond in time. The upcoming testimony will now be part of a broader slate of appearances tied to the annual presidential budget rollout.
An HHS spokesperson confirmed Kennedy will appear before six congressional committees in May, including HELP, to discuss the administration's health policy priorities and budget plans. While HHS declined to comment to Reuters, Axios notes that the department is positioning the hearing as routine within the context of budget season rather than a response to mounting criticism.
The Senate HELP Committee stated that it looks forward to finalizing the hearing date and receiving Kennedy’s insights. As debate intensifies over public health funding and strategic direction, Kennedy’s testimony is expected to draw significant attention from lawmakers and health experts alike.
Kennedy was last seen addressing reporters at HHS headquarters in Washington, D.C. on April 22, where he fielded questions about departmental changes. With public health challenges looming, his testimony is likely to influence the direction of national health policy discussions throughout 2025.