Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Tuesday about the 2026 budget, facing sharp criticism from Democrats over proposed health funding cuts and a perceived lack of scientific rigor.

Lawmakers raised concerns about cuts to Medicaid, HIV vaccine research, and mental health services, warning they could harm vulnerable populations, CBS News has reported.

Republicans largely defended Kennedy, praising his push to reform the system, while Kennedy insisted his policies are rooted in “evidence-based, gold-standard science.”

Written by B.C. Begley