Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced more than three hours of questioning today in his first confirmation hearing to become President Trump's health secretary. Democratic senators zeroing in on Kennedy's views on vaccine. More from NPR's Willstone.

Kennedy was frequently on the defense as senators brought up his past statements.

They quoted Kennedy's claim that no vaccine is safe and effective, noted he petitioned the

government to have the COVID vaccines revoked and founded a prominent anti-vaccine group.

Kennedy repeatedly denied he was anti-vaccine, saying vaccines play a critical role in health care,

but Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire wasn't convinced.

There is no reason that any of us should believe that you have reversed the anti-vaccine views that you have promoted.

Republicans largely brushed off these concerns, saying Kennedy's position was clear,

and praised him for bringing

more attention to chronic diseases. Will Stone and PR News. The White House has rescinded its efforts to

pause trillions of dollars of federal funding. MPR's Windsor Johnston reports the move comes a day

after a federal court in Washington, D.C., put the Trump administration plan on hold. President Trump's order fueled a long-running legal debate over Congress's authority to determine

how taxpayer dollars are spent. Jed Sugarman, a law professor at Boston University, says the

president's memo amounted to an unconstitutional power grab.

Congress has already spoken to this in a statute called the Impoundment Control Act

specifically address whether the president tries to block or pause. The President can't do

either. The Impoundment Control Act limits a president's authority to refuse to spend or commit to spending funds appropriated

by Congress. The White House had argued that the order did not constitute a funding freeze and

was not subject to the law. Windsor Johnston and PR News, Washington. Former New Jersey, Senator Bob

Menendez has been handed an 11-year prison sentence for his conviction in a scheme that brought him cash, gold, bars, and even a luxury car.

Once one of the most powerful Democrats in Washington, Menendez was convicted as acting as an agent of the Egyptian government.

The Federal Reserve is keeping interest rates where they are for now. Here's NPR Scott Horsley.

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