‘Did You Lie?’ House Democrat Grills RFK Jr. In Tense Exchange Over Broken Promise to GOP Senator

Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA) grilled Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a House hearing on Tuesday and asked Kennedy if he lied to Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) when he promised to keep a key federal vaccine advisory committee intact.

Schrier, a pediatrician, spoke of the importance of vaccines to keep kids healthy and noted that “I know Senator Cassidy had concerns about your views on this.”

“And so when he voted to confirm you as Secretary of HHS on February 4th, he explained that decision by saying on the Senate floor that, quote, ‘If confirmed, you will maintain the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices without changes.’ But then two weeks ago, you fired all 17 experts on that very committee. Mr. Secretary, question for you. Did you lie to Senator Cassidy when you told him you would not change this panel of experts?” Schrier asked.

Kennedy replied, “I never made that agreement.”

Schrier hit back, “So are you saying that Senator Cassidy lied when he was on the Senate floor, lied to the American people?”

Kennedy replied, “I didn’t see that statement by Senator Cassidy. I’ve only heard it from you, but if he said that I agreed to it, it would be inaccurate. I made an agreement with him, and he and I have talked many times about that agreement.”

“I just want to tell you that for most of us sitting here right now, we believe Senator Cassidy more than we trust you when it comes to vaccinations. It sounds to me like you gave him the answer he needed to hear in order to get his confirmation vote. And then as soon as you were secretary, you turned around and did whatever you want. You fired all 17 members,” Schrier added.

“I’m complying with all the agreements that I’ve made–’ Kennedy replied as Schrier cut in, “Mr. Secretary, you’re now on the record. You lied to Senator Cassidy. You have lied to the American people. You have lied to parents about vaccines for 20 years. And I also want to be clear that I will lay all responsibility for every death from a vaccine-preventable illness at your feet. I yield back.”

Watch the clip above via C-SPAN.