01.30.25

Cantwell Presses Trump Nominee RFK Jr. on His Anti-Science Views: ‘Are You Aware of How Harmful These Issues Could Be For Our Public Health?’

In Finance Committee confirmation hearing, Cantwell credits WA’s fast & robust COVID response to strong health care research & innovation; Cantwell also secures commitment from RFK Jr. to protect existing laws on stem cell research

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, a senior member of the Senate Committee on Finance, grilled Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. -- President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services – on his past anti-science statements, as well as his promise to cut 600 employees from the National Institute of Health.

“I represent a very big innovation state – innovation in health care, specifically. Innovation like NIH funding to the Fred Hutch Cancer Center that helped develop the HPV vaccine, which has the potential to eliminate over 95% of cervical cancer. NIH also funds a lot of jobs and grants – nearly 11,000 people in the State of Washington and over $1.2 billion worth grants,” Sen. Cantwell said. “I definitely am troubled by the medical research side of innovation, and some of the things that you have said. In fact, this issue about laying off 600 employees at NIH.”

“The most striking example of this is when COVID hit. We were the first in the nation – we had the first case – and it really was the fast response by the University of Washington that really helped save lives,” she continued. “Are you aware of how harmful these issues could be for public health? That public health in and of itself could be affected by these kinds of anti-science views?”

In response, Kennedy responded that he believes in “evidence-based medicine and gold standard science.”

Sen. Cantwell also grilled Kennedy on whether he supports the ongoing stem cell research being conducted in Washington state.

“We're making regenerative heart tissue now at the University of Washington. So yes or no, do you commit to protecting stem cell research for scientific agencies if confirmed?” Sen. Cantwell asked.

He responded: “I will protect stem cell research.”

Sen. Cantwell: “You'll protect the laws that are on the books today and the research that’s done?”

“My job is, Senator, to enforce the laws,” he said.

For decades, Sen. Cantwell has remained a staunch supporter of medical innovation and evidence-based science, including treatments for fentanyl addiction, abortion, vaccinations, stem cell research, and more.

Video of today’s hearing is available HERE; audio is HERE; and a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s questioning is available HERE.

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