Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said during a confirmation hearing Thursday that he would commit to hiring anti-abortion deputies if he became secretary.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s alternating views on vaccines, reproductive rights and public health issues were a central focus at his first confirmation hearing Wednesday, with Democratic senators expressing dismay at his nomination and Republicans signaling he’ll likely have their support.

Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended his views on vaccines and abortion in a testy hearing before a Senate panel.

Kennedy was pressed to clarify his views on vaccines, abortion and public health priorities in the first of two senate hearings scheduled.

Kennedy said he agreed with Trump's views on the program and on abortion, including believing laws regulating the procedure should be left up to the states. "I agree with President Trump that every abortion is a tragedy. I agree we cannot be a moral nation if we have 1.2 million abortions," Kennedy said.

President Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was in the hot seat Wednesday as he was peppered with more than three hours of detailed questions from senators during the first of two confirmation hearings.

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

In a contentious confirmation hearing to become the nation’s top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggled to answer questions

WASHINGTON — In a contentious confirmation hearing to become the nation’s top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggled to answer questions about Medicare and Medicaid, programs that affect tens of millions of Americans, or to provide details about how he would work to drive down health care costs.

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

Should Kennedy gain confirmation, he would oversee HHS’s $1.7 trillion budget and hold influence over the foods and drugs that affect the daily lives of Americans.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s second confirmation hearing highlights vaccine skepticism, bipartisan concerns, and his plans as health secretary nominee.