Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attempted to walk back his past anti-vaccine and pro-abortion rights stances in his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday as he fielded questions from both sides of the aisle. The big picture: In his hearing,

Mr. Kennedy appears to have most Republicans behind him as he seeks the job of health secretary, though he couldn’t escape his past stances on vaccines and abortion.

Democrats undermined public trust during the pandemic. Republicans can now reassure Americans that vaccines save lives and money.

More dramatic questioning on vaccines in RFK Jr's second confirmation hearing. Bond/Simmons-Duffin/Stone/Webber

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.

At Senate HELP committee, lawmakers grill Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on his record of vaccine skepticism and thoughts on transgender care.

That almost messianic obsession — which arrogantly defies the weight of decades of science supporting the benefits of vaccines — should be enough to sink Kennedy’s nomination. But if they need more, senators should also be troubled by the nominee’s longstanding financial stake in suing the pharmaceutical companies that produce those vaccines.

Trump’s pick for health secretary showed a poor understanding of a key part of the job.

Kennedy's confirmation is in the hands of a few Senate Republicans, some of whom have expressed concerns about his views on vaccines.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was pressed to clarify his views on vaccines, abortion, and public health priorities in his first Senate hearing.