Robert F Kennedy Jr’s confirmation hearings in his bid to become US health secretary have begun in Washington, DC.
As he entered the hearing room there was a standing ovation from supporters.
“Bobby! Bobby! Bobby!” they chanted as he came in with his wife Cheryl Hines.
“We love you, Bobby!” one man also yelled as people held their mobile phones aloft to get a photo or video.
To get to the US Senate for a vote of his nomination, Mr Kennedy needs to have two committee hearings, one before the Finance committee on Wednesday and another in front of the Health, Education, Labour and Pension committee on Thursday.
Robert F Kennedy Jr appears before the Senate Finance Committee (J Scott Applewhite/AP)
In his opening statement, Mr Kennedy rejected being ‘anti-vaccine’.
He told senators he’s not anti-vaccine, but has asked “uncomfortable questions”.
While Mr Kennedy has called vaccines unsafe, in his opening remarks he said all of his children are vaccinated.
“I believe that vaccines play a critical role in health care,” Mr Kennedy told the committee.
A protester momentarily disrupted the confirmation hearing when she jumped to her feet and yelled “he lies” when Mr Kennedy claimed he was not “anti-vaccine.”
Capitol police officers quickly removed the woman from the room, and several others in the hearing room applauded and said: “We love you, Bobby!”
Another protester stood up holding a sign that said “Vaccines save lives”.
The Senate Finance Committee chairman, Republican Sen. Mike Crapo, responded by saying he could put the committee into recess if the hearing continues to be disrupted.
Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon warned Mr Kennedy’s embrace of “conspiracy theories” on vaccines make him unsuitable for the nation’s top health post.
“Peddling these anti-vaccine conspiracy theories as our nation’s chief health officer is going to endanger the lives of kids and seniors across the nation,” Mr Wyden said in his opening statement.
Mr Kennedy has previously said there’s “no vaccine that is safe and effective”.
In further remarks, Mr Wyden warned of the consequences of Mr Kennedy’s proposal to “freeze” federal research on infectious diseases for eight years.
“I’ve reached the conclusion that he should not be entrusted with the health of the American people,” Mr Wyden said.