Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, and to say things got heated at times is an understatement. Constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley observed that Democratic senators seemed more interested in scoring political points than actually getting answers.
“Senators are pummeling Kennedy with questions and not allowing him to give answers,” Turley said. “There was a time when hearings had the quaint purpose of actually eliciting answers and information.”
The tension was on full display when Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) had a meltdown during the hearing, repeatedly clashing with Kennedy over access to COVID-19 vaccines. Warren pressed the secretary on whether Americans would still be able to obtain the vaccine following its reclassification, which turned the exchange into a heated showdown.
“And that is, you promised that you would not take away vaccines from anyone who wanted them. You just changed the classification of the COVID vaccine and it takes it away if you can’t get it from your pharmacist,” Warren insisted.
Kennedy fired back calmly, noting that “most Americans are going to be able to get it from their pharmacy for free.”
Warren pressed further. “It takes it away if you have to pay $200,” she said.
“Most Americans will be able to get it from their pharmacy free,” Kennedy pointed out.
“No, the question is everyone who wants it, that was your promise, Mr. Kennedy, not mine,” Warren shot back.
Kennedy countered, highlighting a conflict of interest: “And no, I did, no, I never promised that I was going to recommend products— for which there is no indication. And I know you’ve taken $855,000 from pharmaceutical companies, Senator.”
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The exchange devolved further. “‘I’m not going to take them away.’ Did you hold up a big sign saying that you were lying when you said that? Because you are the one who said you would not take them away,” Warren exclaimed, still offering no evidence that Kennedy is doing what she accused him of.
Kennedy remained composed. “I’m not taking them away from anybody. You want me to indicate a product for which there is no clinical data? Is that what you want?”
Warren continued to press: “Sen. Kennedy, you said you wouldn’t, and now you did. So obviously—”
Kennedy cut her off: “I’m not taking them away. Everybody can get access to them.”
🚨 HOLY CRAP! RFK Jr. just CRUSHED Elizabeth Warren when she started pushing vaccines, and Pocahontas LOST IT
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 4, 2025
RFK JR: "We aren't going to recommend a product for which there is no clinical data for that indication"
"I know you've taken $855,000 from pharma companies!" pic.twitter.com/RbC8lskMU6
The Senate hearing ultimately underscored less about the issue of vaccines and more about the state of political discourse in Washington. Rather than engaging in fact-finding, the discussion devolved into soundbites and partisan grandstanding, with Sen. Warren locked in a rhetorical battle that yielded little clarity and no new policy insights. Kennedy, for his part, held his ground and exposed how quickly an inquiry can collapse into theater when senators prize confrontation over substance.
Warren’s meltdown proves one thing: Democrats care more about the narrative than facts. PJ Media cuts through the chaos the left thrives on and delivers the truth you won’t get elsewhere. Become a PJ Media VIP — get exclusive content, ad-free browsing. Be sure to use the code FIGHT for 60% off. Protect independent reporting that holds elites accountable.
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