During the hearing, lawmakers called out Kennedy on his reluctance to advise parents to vaccinate their children as the nation faces a measles outbreak.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of the nation's most publicly recognized vaccine skeptics, took a softened approach on vaccines when he answered questions before a House committee Wednesday morning, saying, "I don't think people should be taking medical advice from me."

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified during back-to-back hearings in the House and Senate on Wednesday for the first time since his confirmation.