Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endured a lengthy gauntlet of congressional hearings this week, facing pointed questions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle about the federal government's handling of a measles outbreak, his stance on vaccines, and deep proposed cuts to the HHS budget.

Senators grilled Kennedy on the resurgence of measles, a disease that had been declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. Lawmakers sought explanations for the outbreak's spread and demanded clarity on the administration's vaccination guidance amid public concern that mixed messaging from health officials may have contributed to declining immunization rates.

Kennedy, who built a political career partly on challenging vaccine safety orthodoxy, defended his record while attempting to reassure legislators that his department remains committed to public health. He backed a bipartisan legislative push aimed at strengthening the nation's ability to detect and respond to future disease outbreaks before they become crises, signaling some common ground with lawmakers from both parties.

The hearings also focused heavily on proposed budget reductions at HHS, with critics arguing the cuts would weaken the country's public health infrastructure at a time when it is already under strain. Supporters of the cuts contend that restructuring the department can improve efficiency without sacrificing core health services.

Congressional observers noted that Kennedy faced criticism not only from Democrats concerned about his vaccine record but also from some Republican legislators who expressed unease about the pace and scope of HHS restructuring. The hearings underscored the political complexity Kennedy faces as he attempts to lead a sprawling federal health agency while carrying a legacy of skepticism toward some of its foundational programs.