Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. got into a verbal sparring match with a number of Democrats during a hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee concerning President Donald Trump’s budget requests for 2027, along with alleging that he underdelivered on his promise to get to the bottom of what causes autism.
However, the fireworks really kicked off when Kennedy was addressed by Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV), who got rather hot under the collar while questioning the secretary. The conversation kicked off with a question about whether Kennedy and his agency have aligned their goals concerning various reforms. “Have you aligned your goals, dealing with the reforms, to the EPA protections, and how that is making people sicker, not healthier, that is my question.”
Kennedy attempted to answer the question, “Yeah, I could not answer those questions because –” however, Horsford interrupted before the secretary had an opportunity to provide a full response. Horsford, clearly beginning to lose his temper said, “– You can’t answer that question.” Kennedy attempted to get his answer out a second time, but was once again interrupted by the congressman.
“You don’t coordinate with the EPA, Mr. Secretary. Your department is not involved with rolling back protections that would increase exposure to heavy metal materials, even though it affects people’s health? Is that what you’re telling me? You don’t coordinate?” Horsford said, his voice continuing to grow louder. Kennedy’s response is the match that lit Horsford’s fuse.
“I’d say, calm down, Congressman,” the Health and Human Services secretary fired back. And that’s when Horsford exploded. “Do not tell me to calm down! Look, healthcare is very personal to my constituents. Don’t tell me to calm down. Healthcare is real. And if you can’t answer basic questions, then, maybe, come prepared next time,” the congressman yelled.
“I’m answering the question,” Kennedy responded. “You haven’t given me a chance to answer your question. You cut me off when I started to answer.” The responses to the viral video clip of the exchange are critical of Horsford’s angry outburst. One person on Facebook jokingly wrote, “Guy reacted to ‘calm down’ in the same way as a hysterical woman.”
Another poked fun at Horsford for having “fake outrage,” saying, “LMFAO. The fake outrage is hilarious.” One individual backed Secretary Kennedy, writing, “Who can answer questions with someone yelling over them?” One woman went off on Horsford and other Democrats for utilizing congressional hearings for the sake of political posturing.
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“I am SO SICK & TIRED of skanky congressmen using hearings to posture. Just because they get ‘on TV.’ So f***ing what? Do your jobs, Congress. Use hearings to collect info, not grandstand. You do NOT look like heroes; you look pathetic,” she said in a scathing comment. Another humdinger came from a person who burned Horsford by writing, “That woman shouldn’t be in Congress.” Someone else roasted Horsford by bringing up the past health secretary who was also a transgender, writing, “Was he yelling when their DUDE in a dress was running same job?”
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video