Top Republican 'struggling' with RFK Jr.'s nomination over Kennedy's vaccine views

Sen. Bernie Sanders showed off images of baby onesies sold by the Children's Health Defense, a non-profit that Kennedy started that has pushed policies to end vaccine mandates.

The clothing contained messages such as "no vax, no problem."

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Sen. Bernie Sanders asks RFK Jr. if health care is human rightSanders also questioned RFK Jr. on anti-vaccine clothing aimed at children from an organization Kennedy chaired from 2015 to 2023.

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Sanders asked the nominee if he would call for the group to stop selling those products since he now says he's pro-vaccine.

"You are making money selling a child's product for 26 bucks which casts fundamental doubt on the usefulness of vaccines," Sanders said.

Kennedy said he had no power over the organization and resigned from the board months ago.

"You founded it, you have power, you can make that move," Sanders shot back, and then asked Kennedy if he supported the sale of the onesies.

"I am supportive of vaccines," Kennedy said, as he has repeatedly answered.

Democrat Elizabeth Warren asked Kennedy if he would commit to not taking compensation related to any lawsuits against drug companies while he's serving as health secretary, should he confirmed, and for four years afterward.

"I'll certainly commit to that while I'm secretary," Kennedy said, though he didn't commit to not doing so after leaving the administration.

Kennedy said he has resigned from his work with several law firms and that if confirmed he would no longer be involved in legal cases. But in a plan greenlit by federal ethics officials, Kennedy previously said he plans to retain his right to 10% of fees awarded in contingency cases with Wisner Baum -- which is leading a civil lawsuit against Merck's Gardasil vaccine -- so long as the cases don't involve the U.S. government.

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis lambasted Democrats for their questioning and criticism of Kennedy's views.

Tills asked Kennedy bluntly if he were a conspiracy theorist.

"That is a pejorative that's applied to me, mainly to keep me from asking difficult questions," Kennedy said before saying he was proven right by recent studies but also making unproven claims about the COVID vaccine and fluoride.

Kennedy’s endorsements of the measles and polio vaccines during today’s confirmation hearing mask his years of skepticism about their safety and effectiveness.

Here are some medical claims made by RFK Jr. that are missing context or include falsehoods.

Kennedy claimed the CDC approved the COVID-19 vaccines without scientific basis, however, vaccines are among the most studied vaccines in history, with large clinical studies showing the health benefits far exceed any potential risks.

Kennedy claimed he had nothing to do with the measles outbreak in American Samoa. Eighty-three people died during that outbreak. The nation's Ministry of Health cited Kennedy's visit and rhetoric as exacerbating vaccine hesitancy at a crucial moment.

The nominee claimed he 'probably" said Lyme disease is "highly likely a military-engineered bioweapon," however the disease is caused by a type of bacteria and spreads through the bite of blacklegged ticks.

Kennedy said he has never claimed pesticides lead children to become transgender, however, he has repeatedly pushed unfounded claims that environmental toxins, including those in drinking water, are linked to gender identity in children.

-ABC News' Will McDuffie, Youri Benadjaoud and Sony Salzman