Democratic senator questions whether RFK Jr. is the one 'making decisions' at HHS

[LetMyPeopleVote]

“Either you’re lying, or you’re not the one making decisions,” Democratic Sen. Patty Murray told Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Democratic Sen. Patty Murray wondered aloud whether RFK Jr. is “the one making decisions” at HHS.

I have a hunch she won’t be the last one to ask. www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-05-21T14:20:19.813Z

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/democratic-senator-questions-whether-rfk-jr-one-making-decisions-hhs-rcna208188

When Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sat down with CBS News last month, the network’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook, pressed the Cabinet secretary on some of his most controversial decisions from recent months. RFK Jr., however, repeatedly said he wasn’t aware of the actions LaPook was describing.....

This week, it happened yet again, during Kennedy’s appearance before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, for example, asked about HHS cutting funding for ALS research. The secretary said the senator’s question was the first he’d heard about this.
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:4llrhdclvdlmmynkwsmg5tdc/post/3lpmrcjdvq22y

Link to tweet

As the hearing progressed, and the problem persisted, Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington raised a highly provocative point.

“Secretary Kennedy, listening to your testimony last week frankly left me pretty confused and concerned about what’s happening at your department,” the senator said. “You repeatedly claimed that staffing and funding cuts that have been reported on publicly and even confirmed by [HHS] staff are not happening. So either you’re lying, or you’re not the one making decisions.”

https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:4llrhdclvdlmmynkwsmg5tdc/post/3lpmopb52tq2g

Link to tweet

RFK Jr. clearly wasn’t pleased, but he proceeded to reinforce Murray’s point: When the Washington Democrat asked, “I am asking you a question about child care. I am asking you who made the decision to withhold Child Care and Development Block Grant funding?” Kennedy replied, “That was made by my department.”....

What’s more, barring a dramatic change, Murray probably won’t be the last person to wonder aloud whether RFK Jr. is “the one making decisions” at HHS.

[CousinIT]

1. No, he isn't. Russel Vought (Dr. Impoundment of Project 2025) is the one making them. nt

[hildegaard28]

2. It doesn't matter.

It's not like there's anyone left there who's qualified to be making decisions.

[Ping Tung]

3. Yes he is. But only after consulting the road kill in his freezer.

Putting this nutter in charge of Health says more about the mental health and/or intelligence of the imbecile who gave him the job.

[DFW]

4. I have to wonder if this job is getting to Bobby.

He looks like he has aged ten years since being sworn in. He is 2 years younger than I am, so he has to be 71 now, and in that photo, he looks 80 or close to it.

[tanyev]

5. Are we sure they got all the brain worms??