Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, one of President Trump's most consequential and controversial nominees made his case for the top job at the Department of Health and Human Services.

In his first of two hearings, former environmental lawyer and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took tough questions from some senators as he also faces blistering criticism from his own family.

Here's Lisa Desjardin.

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human

Services, greeted with applause and fanfare.

He described his mission and concern about America's chronic health failures.

Today, Americans overall health is in grievous condition. Over 70% of adults and a third of children are overweight or obese.

Kennedy has won supporters in part by railing against processed food and the pharmaceutical industry as health catastrophes.

But he has also sparked concern, evident by rows of doctors and nurses in the room to oppose him.

He addressed his controversial record on vaccines before loud protests interrupted him.

News reports have claimed that I am any vaccine or any industry.

I am neither. I am pro-safety.

It's a change from his past words and tone. They poisoned an entire generation of American children.

Kennedy has a long history of vaccine skepticism.

The Washington Post found dozens of disparaging statements, including about routine childhood

vaccinations, like for measles, mumps, and rebella, at times wrongly claiming that vaccines cause autism.

What is the cure for measles? The treatment for measles is chicken soup and vitamin A.

All of my kids are vaccinated.

Today, Kennedy put his views this way.

I will do nothing as HHS secretary and makes it difficult or discourages people from taking

either of those vaccines.

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