Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said during a confirmation hearing Thursday that he would commit to hiring anti-abortion deputies if he became secretary.

Anti-abortion advocates have expressed concern but not opposition to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as Health and Human Services secretary, despite his previous support for abortion rights.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said vaccines are not safe. His support for abortion access has made conservatives uncomfortable.

The time Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spent in New Hampshire as a presidential candidate became the subject of key moments during his U.S. Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday.

In the three-hour hearing, Kennedy fielded questions on his interpretation of Title X, late-term abortions, mifepristone, stem-cell research and medical conscience rights.

If approved, Kennedy will control a $1.7 trillion agency that oversees food and hospital inspections, hundreds of health clinics, vaccine recommendations and health insurance for roughly half the country.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former presidential candidate and environmental activist, endorsed Donald Trump last year and threw his weight behind a campaign to “Make America Healthy Again.” For the past two decades he has been best known for airing skeptical views on vaccines.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced intense scrutiny Wednesday on Capitol Hill as he sought confirmation for the role of Health and Human Services secretary.

WASHINGTON — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-vaccine advocacy is outside the mainstream. His previous statements on abortion could alienate Republicans. But a new poll finds that not all of his controversial health goals are unpopular — in fact, at least one has broad support among Democrats and Republicans.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. responded to tough questioning during his Senate confirmation hearings, defending his stance on public trust in health agencies, abortion, and vaccines. Despite criticisms over his past anti-vaccine activism,

RFK Jr. claimed he is not “anti-vaccine” and appeared unfamiliar with key aspects of healthcare insurance programs in his confirmation hearing.