The man who hopes to be President Donald Trump’s health secretary said he needed to see data showing vaccines are safe, but when an influential Republican senator did so, he dismissed it.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee for Health secretary, told senators Friday he will divest his financial stake in a lawsuit against pharmaceutical giant Merck over its

Sen. Bill Cassidy, the top Republican on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, concluded Thursday's hearing by saying he was "struggling" with the nomination due to Kennedy's vaccine positions. Kennedy notably refused to say vaccines don't cause autism as he faced pointed question from lawmakers.

RFK Jr. claimed he is not “anti-vaccine” and appeared unfamiliar with key aspects of healthcare insurance programs in his confirmation hearing.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is appearing before the Senate Committee on Finance on Wednesday as he seeks confirmation to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

The hearings were packed to capacity with protesters and fans, while the spillover crowd hung out in hallways and overflow rooms.

Over many years, Kennedy has been clear about his beliefs on vaccines in dozens of interviews, podcasts and social media posts.

Democrats focused on Kennedy's anti-vaccine advocacy. Republicans probed the former Democratic leader on his abortion and agriculture views.