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A vaccine standoff and other key moments from RFK Jr.'s first congressional hearing in months

A vaccine standoff and other key moments from RFK Jr.'s first congressional hearing in months

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended a more than 12% proposed cut to his department's budget and dodged arrows from angry Democrats as he kicked off an expected sprint of seven hearings in Congress over the next seven days

Kennedy to tout new food policies but skip vaccines in remarks to US Congress

Kennedy to tout new food policies but skip vaccines in remarks to US Congress

By Ahmed Aboulenein WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - U.S. Health Secretary Robert F.

Kansas Lawmakers' Attempt to Change Vaccine Recommendations Fails

Kansas Lawmakers' Attempt to Change Vaccine Recommendations Fails

Kansas lawmakers' efforts to align the state's vaccine schedule with the Trump administration's scaled-back recommendations have stalled. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had updated the CDC guidelines, reducing the number of recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11. However, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) chose not to adopt these changes, leading Republican lawmakers to attempt to mandate compliance through a budget proviso. Governor Laura Kelly vetoed the budget item, citing potential confusion among parents regarding vaccine choices. The decision reflects ongoing debates over vaccine policy and public health standards.

RFK Jr. Defends Health Agenda Amidst Proposed Budget Cuts in Congressional Hearing

RFK Jr. Defends Health Agenda Amidst Proposed Budget Cuts in Congressional Hearing

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared before the House Ways and Means Committee to defend his record and address the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The proposed cuts amount to nearly $16 billion, representing a 12.5% reduction from the previous year. Kennedy highlighted his agency's achievements, such as drug price negotiations and new dietary guidelines, while facing criticism over his controversial vaccine policies. Democrats questioned Kennedy on the rise of vaccine-preventable diseases and the suspension of pro-vaccine campaigns, while Republicans focused on issues like fraud management and rural healthcare.

House Votes to Extend Protections for Haitians, Challenging President Trump's Immigration Policy

House Votes to Extend Protections for Haitians, Challenging President Trump's Immigration Policy

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to extend temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitians, countering the Trump administration's efforts to terminate the program. This decision, supported by ten Republicans alongside Democrats, aims to allow approximately 350,000 Haitian immigrants to remain in the U.S. without the threat of deportation for an additional three years. The TPS program is designed for nationals from countries experiencing severe conditions such as armed conflict or environmental disasters. The vote was facilitated by a discharge petition, a legislative tool that bypasses the House speaker to bring a bill to the floor. The move highlights a rare instance of bipartisan cooperation against President Trump's stricter immigration policies.

Trump nominates former Deputy Surgeon General as CDC director

Trump nominates former Deputy Surgeon General as CDC director

By Yasmeen Abutaleb and Julie Steenhuysen WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - U.S.

GOP Proposes Three-Year Funding for Immigration Enforcement Amid DHS Shutdown

GOP Proposes Three-Year Funding for Immigration Enforcement Amid DHS Shutdown

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has proposed a plan to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol for three years using the budget reconciliation process. This move aims to end the two-month shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has been stalled due to disagreements over immigration enforcement policies. The Senate has already approved a regular funding bill for DHS, but it remains stalled in the House. Thune's plan involves passing a narrow bill focused on ICE and Border Patrol funding, potentially bypassing Democratic demands for reforms. The House must first adopt a budget resolution before Republicans can proceed with the funding bill. The shutdown began after Democrats insisted on new safeguards for immigration enforcement following incidents involving federal immigration officers.

Senate Rejects Resolution to Block President Trump from Striking Iran Amid War Powers Debate

Senate Rejects Resolution to Block President Trump from Striking Iran Amid War Powers Debate

The U.S. Senate voted against a resolution aimed at preventing President Trump from ordering further military strikes on Iran. This decision comes as the conflict approaches a critical 60-day deadline, which under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, requires the president to seek congressional authorization for military actions not previously approved by Congress. The resolution failed with a 47-52 vote, with some Republicans expressing concerns over the lack of congressional input in the ongoing conflict. Despite the rejection, there is bipartisan pressure on the Trump administration to outline a clear strategy for ending the war, as the deadline for congressional authorization looms. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a similar resolution soon.

Senate Republicans Push Resolution to Lift Mining Ban Near Boundary Waters

Senate Republicans Push Resolution to Lift Mining Ban Near Boundary Waters

Congressional Republicans have advanced a resolution to President Trump that seeks to lift a federal ban on mining near Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This move aims to facilitate a South American company's extraction of precious metals from the region's pristine environment. The House approved the resolution last month, and the Senate followed with a 50-49 vote. The decision has sparked controversy, with Democrats warning that it could set a precedent for reducing protections on public lands nationwide. Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith have voiced strong opposition, emphasizing the potential environmental damage and the cultural significance of the area to Minnesotans. The resolution is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to boost domestic mineral production.

US House Approves Bill to Protect 350,000 Haitians from Deportation

US House Approves Bill to Protect 350,000 Haitians from Deportation

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill to extend temporary protected status (TPS) for 350,000 Haitians, shielding them from deportation for three years. This legislative move represents a rare bipartisan challenge to President Trump's deportation policies, with 11 Republicans joining Democrats in the 224-204 vote. The TPS program, initially granted by the Obama administration following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, allows eligible Haitians to live and work in the US without fear of deportation. The program's continuation has been contentious, with President Trump previously attempting to terminate TPS for Haitians, a decision currently blocked by a federal judge. The bill's passage in the House is seen as a significant step in protecting Haitian immigrants, though its future in the Senate remains uncertain.

House passes a bill to protect Haitian immigrants, in slap back to the Trump administration

House passes a bill to protect Haitian immigrants, in slap back to the Trump administration

The House has passed legislation that would extend temporary protections for Haitian immigrants living in the United States

EPA Delays PFAS Approvals Amid MAHA Movement Concerns

EPA Delays PFAS Approvals Amid MAHA Movement Concerns

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under Administrator Lee Zeldin, is delaying approvals for the use of 'forever chemicals' known as PFAS. This decision is influenced by concerns over potential backlash from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The MAHA movement has been advocating for stricter controls on chemicals in the U.S. food supply. Despite the Trump administration's broader agenda to roll back environmental regulations, the EPA is holding back on PFAS approvals, which contrasts with its deregulatory efforts. PFAS are used in various products, including nonstick pans and firefighting foam, and are known for their persistence in the environment and potential health risks, such as cancer and immune system issues.