U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat, tore into Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's pick to become the nation's top health official, in a contentious confirmation hearing Wednesday

Sen. Michael Bennet agreed with Kennedy's concerns that the United States is facing a health care crisis regarding ultra-processed foods but challenged him on several of his previous statements.

Robert F. Kennedy's nomination will put Republican lawmakers' loyalty to the test, as the former Democrat holds a range of unorthodox positions that could alienate both conservatives and liberals.

Bennet quizzed Kennedy about prior statements relating to COVID-19, Lyme disease, abortion and the idea that exposure to insecticides causes gender dysphoria.

"All of a sudden, boom, he emerges and just unleashes on somebody. He went off on Republican Senator Ted Cruz a couple of years ago. Remember that?”

If you come out unequivocally — ‘vaccines are safe, it does not cause autism’ that would have an incredible impact,” Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) told the HHS nominee.

Mr. Kennedy appears to have most Republicans behind him as he seeks the job of health secretary, though he couldn’t escape his past stances on vaccines and abortion.

Follow live updates and news coverage of the Senate confirmation hearing for RFK Jr. Stay up to date with real-time developments on key moments and outcomes for Trump’s nominee for Health Secretary.

In his opening remarks, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, the Finance committee's chairman, praised Kennedy's “commitment to combatting chronic conditions" and said prioritizing disease prevention “ will save lives, reduce costs and build a healthier, stronger country.”

The longtime liberal faces deep skepticism over his public health views. “Frankly, you frighten people,” one Democratic senator told his former roommate.

Senate Democrats on Wednesday grilled Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President’s Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, during a contentious confirmation hearing, hitting the former

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s long and tumultuous road to Donald Trump’s Cabinet faced its toughest test on Wednesday, when the vaccine conspiracy theorist and former presidential candidate appeared before the Senate Finance Committee to defend his nomination as Health and Human Services secretary.