Watch live: RFK Jr. testifies before House Appropriations panel on HHS budget
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The Bottom Line
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies before Congress on the White House's fiscal 2027 budget request.
How This Affects You
This testimony outlines the Trump administration's health policy priorities, potentially affecting federal health programs and services you rely on.
AI Summary
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is testifying before the House Appropriations Committee regarding the White House’s fiscal 2027 budget request. Secretary Kennedy Jr. is presenting the Trump administration’s health policy and discussing President Trump's request for additional funding for the "Make America Healthy Again" agenda. This testimony addresses the administration's proposal to eliminate programs deemed "bloated, woke, and inefficient" within the HHS budget. The hearing provides insight into the Trump administration's priorities for health spending and policy direction for the upcoming fiscal year.
What's Being Done
Secretary Kennedy Jr. is presenting the Trump administration’s health policy and discussing the budget request to eliminate "bloated, woke, and inefficient" programs.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Health Policy
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is actively engaged in policy discussions, testifying before Congress and advocating for changes in FDA regulations. His focus includes easing limits on unproven peptides, a stance that aligns with his 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative.
Government Spending & Oversight
Tracking how taxpayer dollars are spent, where oversight gaps exist, and what watchdogs are uncovering. From federal budget battles and earmark controversies to inspector general reports and GAO audits, this deep dive follows the money trail through every level of government. We examine defense spending, entitlement programs, infrastructure investments, and the growing national debt — focusing on accountability, waste, and the policies that shape how America allocates its resources.
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Following the push for government transparency on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs), including congressional hearings, whistleblower testimony, declassified documents, and the evolving public discourse around aerial phenomena.
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<p>Health secretary and chef Robert Irvine claim Americans could eat healthier and more cheaply if they shopped better</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p>The first episode of the new Secretary Kennedy Podcast, produced by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), opens with this quote from guest Robert Irvine, who creates meal plans for the US military: “We talk about food being expensive. If you’re buying expensive food, it’s expensive. But if you’re buying food and you know what to do with it, it’s not expensive.”</p><p>The episode is titled Fixing America’s Food System – Robert Irvine, and features a 45-minute conversation...
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