Mobile Courant

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) participated in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominated by President Trump as Secretary of Health and Human Services. During the session, Tuberville and Kennedy discussed various health issues affecting Americans.

Senator Tuberville highlighted concerns about the over-prescription of medication among young people. "Thank you for bringing light to what this is all about. It’s about the health in our country," he said, emphasizing the prevalence of medications like Adderall and Ritalin among students.

Kennedy responded by pointing out that 15% of American children are on Adderall and criticized the pharmaceutical industry's influence: "We have 4.2% of the world’s population, and we take fifty percent of the pharmaceutical drugs."

Vaccines were another topic addressed during the hearing. Tuberville shared his family's decision regarding vaccinations for his granddaughter: "And you brought to light the vaccines over the last couple of years."

Food safety was also a focal point, particularly concerning ingredients like Red Dye No. 3. Tuberville questioned why such dyes are used in food but not cosmetics due to cancer risks: "Well, a few weeks later because of that, [the Biden administration] dropped it."

Kennedy explained that U.S. food contains many more additives compared to Europe: "We have 10,000 ingredients in our food... Europe has 400 ingredients." He argued for ending what he described as mass poisoning through these chemicals.

Senator Tuberville supports Kennedy's nomination and shares his views on transparency in food and healthcare systems. Recently, following Tuberville's questioning at a HELP hearing, the FDA announced its decision to ban Red Dye No. 3 from foods.