Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared before a US Senate committee on Wednesday, defending his controversial views on vaccines as part of his nomination process to become the next Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Donald Trump.

Kennedy, 71, the son of the late senator Robert F. Kennedy, has long been associated with promoting debunked claims linking childhood vaccines to autism and opposing COVID-19 vaccinations.

His critics, including Democratic Senator Ron Wyden, expressed concerns over his promotion of misinformation and his past involvement with anti-vaccine groups.

They also pointed to his financial ties to pharmaceutical lawsuits as a potential conflict of interest.

During the hearing, Kennedy denied being anti-vaccine, stating, 'I am pro-safety.' Despite this, his record of vaccine skepticism, which also includes past statements denying the link between HIV and AIDS, has led to significant opposition.

He has also attracted scrutiny for his stance on issues like water fluoridation and unpasteurized milk.

Kennedy's nomination faces further complications from a conservative group's concerns about his past donations to pro-abortion organizations, which could alienate Republican senators.

His candidacy also sparked a public family dispute, with his cousin, Caroline Kennedy, urging senators to reject him over claims related to his past behavior.

The hearing, which comes amid growing concerns about public health threats like bird flu, is crucial for Kennedy's chances to lead a department overseeing over 80,000 employees and a $1.7 trillion budget.

Kennedy's campaign for the 2024 presidential election also featured personal controversies, including stories about his family history and past behavior.

His stance on issues related to vaccines and health policy has drawn both praise and condemnation as he seeks to influence the future direction of US health agencies.