Dem lawmaker tells RFK Jr 'you shouldn't be in this office' at heated hearing over measles deaths

WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic Congressman Mike Thompson launched a scathing attack on Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr over his handling of a recent measles outbreak during a contentious congressional hearing.

In pointed remarks on Thursday, April 16, Thompson blamed Kennedy Jr’s approach for worsening the crisis, which saw nearly 2,300 cases and three deaths last year.

“Kids have died because measles is running rampant under your watch,” Thompson said, accusing President Donald Trump of enabling Kennedy Jr’s “conspiracy theories” to shape public health policy.

Vaccine claims draw fire during hearing 

Thompson criticized Kennedy Jr for promoting unproven remedies and spreading misleading claims about vaccine safety, despite publicly encouraging immunization.

He also accused the secretary of sidelining medical experts, arguing that the Department of Health and Human Services should be led by professionals who respect scientific evidence and data.

“Mr secretary, you shouldn’t be in this office,” Thompson concluded.

Robert F Kennedy Jr defends task force overhaul

Kennedy Jr, however, used the hearing to defend his planned overhaul of the US Preventive Services Task Force, a key body that sets national screening recommendations.

He criticized the panel as “lackadaisical and negligent” over the past two decades and pledged sweeping changes.

“We’re going to have much more frequent meetings and, for the first time, transparency,” Kennedy Jr said, adding that new members would be brought in with a clearer mandate.

The proposed revamp has alarmed sections of the medical community, which view the task force as central to evidence-based preventive care.

The American Medical Association had earlier urged Kennedy Jr not to dismiss existing members, stressing the panel’s critical role in shaping clinical guidelines often used by insurers to determine coverage.

Lloyd Doggett presses on ACA fraud

Separately, Congressman Lloyd Doggett questioned Kennedy Jr over allegations of fraud linked to the 'Affordable Care Act' marketplace.

Citing a government report, Doggett said more than 800 brokers previously suspended over suspected fraud had been reinstated, and pressed the secretary on how the issue was handled.

Kennedy Jr did not directly address the allegations, instead pivoting to criticism of former President Joe Biden before saying he would discuss the matter further with his staff.