From PBS NewsHour.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spent Thursday defending his health agenda in two appearances before lawmakers.

Speaking before the House Ways and Means Committee, Kennedy justified a 12% cut to his department’s budget. Republicans on the committee praised him as a breath of fresh air, while Democrats challenged him on a number of fronts.

At one point, the longtime vaccine skeptic conceded that a vaccine could have prevented a deadly case of the measles, but, otherwise, he largely held his ground.

Thursday’s hearings were the first of seven appearances for Kennedy over the coming week.

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