Top 7 moments from RFK Jr.'s contentious Capitol Hill hearing

3. Heated exchange with Sen. Elizabeth Warren: 'Making stuff up'

Kennedy clashed with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., over his vaccine policies, prompting the secretary to accuse Warren of being in the back pocket of the pharmaceutical industry.

When Warren alleged Kennedy was limiting vaccine access by narrowing FDA approvals to only those 65 and older or with comorbidities, he accused her of "making stuff up" and taking large sums from Big Pharma.

Heated exchange between @SenWarren and @SecKennedy on COVID vaccines and fired CDC Director. pic.twitter.com/Djl7ulVNEJ

— CSPAN (@cspan) September 4, 2025

"I never promised that I was going to recommend products for which there is no indication," Kennedy said. "And I know you've taken $855,000 dollars from pharmaceutical companies, senator!"

Warren shot back by accusing Kennedy of being a liar.

"Did you hold up a big sign saying that you were lying when you said that? Because you are the one who said you would not take them away," Warren replied.

Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., also accused Kennedy of lying regarding vaccines.

"When were you lying, sir?" she asked. "When you told this committee that you were not anti-vax? Or when you told Americans that there's no safe and effective vaccine?"

"Both things are true," Kennedy said.

In July, groups that include the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians and the American Public Health Association sued HHS in response to Kennedy removing pregnant women and healthy children from the COVID-19 shot schedule in May.