Vice President J.D. Vance came to the defense of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday as the Secretary faced sharp criticism from Senate Democrats over his decisions regarding vaccines and recent changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The exchange took place during a Senate Finance Committee hearing, where Kennedy was pressed repeatedly by Democratic senators about his positions on mRNA vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine, and the direction of federal health agencies.

During the hearing, Vance posted a statement on X defending Kennedy while criticizing Democrats for their positions on children’s medical treatments.

“When I see all these senators trying to lecture and ‘gotcha’ Bobby Kennedy today, all I can think is: You all support off-label, untested, and irreversible hormonal ‘therapies’ for children, mutilating our kids and enriching big pharma,” Vance wrote.

“You’re full of shit and everyone knows it.”

When I see all these senators trying to lecture and “gotcha” Bobby Kennedy today all I can think is:

You all support off-label, untested, and irreversible hormonal “therapies” for children, mutilating our kids and enriching big pharma. You’re full of shit and everyone knows it.

— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 4, 2025

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The hearing began with remarks from Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID), who set the parameters before yielding to ranking member Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). Wyden accused Kennedy of waging an “unceasing crusade against vaccines,” claiming the Secretary had “caused chaos and brought corruption to America’s healthcare systems.”

Wyden also alleged Kennedy had “elevated conspiracy theorists, crackpots, and grifters” in shaping health policy.

He ended by demanding Kennedy be sworn in as a witness, citing comments made during Kennedy’s confirmation process.

The exchanges grew more tense when Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) pressed Kennedy over changes to COVID-19 vaccine classifications.

Warren argued that Kennedy had broken his confirmation promise by “taking away vaccines from anyone who wanted them.”

Kennedy denied that allegation. “I’m not going to recommend a product for which there was no clinical data for that indication.

Is that what I should be doing?” he asked in response to Warren’s line of questioning.

Warren countered, “What you should be doing is honoring your promise you made when you were looking to get confirmed in this job. And that is, you promised, that you would not take away vaccines from anyone who wanted them. You just changed the classification of the COVID vaccine…”

Kennedy interjected, “I’m not taking them away from people. Most Americans are going to be able to get it from their pharmacy for free.”

Kennedy went further, addressing Warren’s ties to pharmaceutical companies.

“And I know you’ve taken \$855,000 from pharmaceutical companies, Senator,” he stated.

“You want me to indicate a product for which there is no clinical data … I’m not taking them away. Everybody could get access to them.”

🔥WOAH: Secretary Kennedy just put Elizabeth Warren’s Big Pharma bucks on FULL, PUBLIC DISPLAY!

“I know you’ve taken $855,000 from pharmaceutical companies, Senator!”

That’s gotta hurt. pic.twitter.com/7m1HOVkd2w

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 4, 2025

The remarks highlighted the clash between Kennedy and Senate Democrats, who have been critical of his approach to vaccine policy and oversight of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The exchanges drew significant attention online, with Vance’s comments amplifying the disputes playing out inside the committee hearing.

The Finance Committee has not announced whether additional hearings will be scheduled to continue oversight of Kennedy’s department.

Kennedy, who has served as Secretary of Health and Human Services since his confirmation earlier this year, maintained that his approach is guided by data and transparency, while Democratic senators accused him of undermining public health.