If approved, Kennedy will control a $1.7 trillion agency that oversees food and hospital inspections, hundreds of health clinics, vaccine recommendations and health insurance for roughly half the country.

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Kennedy's condition is called spasmodic dysphonia, which is a neurologic disorder that can affect the voice and speech by causing the muscles that generate a person’s voice to go into periods of spasm, according to Penn Medicine. It is a lifelong condition, but can be improved with treatment in some cases, according to Penn Medicine.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump's pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services, explained to Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) how he would approach administering the department. ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR.

Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski called the nominee an “influencer” and spoke about the importance of vaccines in Alaska.

The exchange erupted when Warren asked Kennedy about his previous anti-vaccine statements, which he appeared to walk back during the hearing.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggled to address key issues during his Senate confirmation hearing for Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's pick to be secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, faced questions from several U.S. senators.

The recent Senate confirmation hearings for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. presented a striking scene that would confuse a time traveler from 10 years ago. Democratic lawmakers took turns excoriating a man who once embodied their ideals. Sen. Bernie Sanders, seemingly grasping for gotchas, was reduced to questioning Kennedy about baby clothing merchandise.

In a contentious confirmation hearing to become the nation’s top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggled Wednesday to answer questions about Medicare and Medicaid, programs that affect tens of millions of Americans,

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will stand before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee Thursday as President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.