‘People are dying’: Senator shouts at RFK Jr. for refusing to respond to measles questions
Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) shouted during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Friday as lawmakers considered Mehmet Oz’s nomination to oversee the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administration.
Lujan noted that the measles outbreak has spread into his state, leading to the death of one child.
“My question is simple, yes or no, do you believe the measles vaccine is safe?” asked Lujan.
Oz said, “Yes.”
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Lujan asked, “Is the measles vaccine the most effective way to protect against infection?”
Oz agreed but noted, “As we discussed last night, and I think it’s important to remember, CMS should not be opining its own opinion or sharing its own thoughts on vaccines. Our job is to follow the rules. If the CDC is making decisions about the use of a vaccine and that’s what the experts agree on, my job, if confirmed, is to make sure we pay for them for seniors and children.”
That’s when Lujan revealed he and other colleagues have written to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the Department of Health and Human Services asking him to do more to address the measles outbreak.
“There hasn’t been a response,” he said. “The same question asked of you today: if confirmed, would you respond to letters from members of this committee? I would appreciate your strong response, yes. It might surprise the American people that Secretary Kennedy said the same thing.”
“Mr. Secretary, if you are watching today, respond to the damn letter!” Lujan exclaimed. “People are dying!”
See the clip below or at the link here.
– YouTube
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