NEWS: Senator Blunt Rochester Blasts Secretary Kennedy on Measles Outbreak, Loss of Public Trust

"You've talked a lot about trust. The people don't trust you."

Click here to watch Senator Blunt Rochester's Remarks

Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, today blasted Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. over the administration's handling of the ongoing Measles outbreak. Senator Blunt Rochester pressed Kennedy on how his dangerous policies are not only harming children but eroding confidence in the American health system.

Senator Blunt Rochester's full remarks and exchange with Secretary Kennedy Jr. can be found here. A key excerpt is below:

Senator Blunt Rochester: "The United States first became measles-free over 25 years ago, a quarter of a century ago. We have maintained that status in every year since, until you became secretary, a simple yes or no. Does the President know there is a historic measles surge occurring nationwide?"

Secretary Kennedy: "I'm sure he does."

Senator Blunt Rochester: "As head of our nation's head health agency, have you advised the president to sound the alarm and encourage Americans to obtain the measles vaccine?

Secretary Kennedy: "That's my job and we do it."

Senator Blunt Rochester: "The Pan American Health Organization was scheduled to review our measles-free status on April 13, did your department request to delay this independent international review of our measles elimination status to November after the election?"

Secretary Kennedy: "No."

Senator Blunt Rochester: "So, you did not request it? You had no knowledge of the request? You had no communication with the White House? Thank you. It's awfully convenient that we're postponing it until after November, when people won't have the opportunity to know our measles status. I would just say this: There has been a lot in terms of polling on trust. You've talked a lot about trust. The people don't trust you. And I would ask, what is different from all these other years? You are. If the American people don't trust you, which most of the polls show. I don't know why the President should trust you, either. I yield back."