During a heated exchange at the confirmation hearing for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) questioned Kennedy about merchandise sold by the anti-vaccine group, Children’s Health Defense, which Kennedy founded.

Sanders asked Kennedy if it was right that a group sale with the slogans “UNVAXXED, UNAFRAID,” “NO VAX, NO PROBLEM” at $26 each were to be sold on the website of the group. Sanders questioned this inconsistency when Kennedy was advocating vaccination while selling products with anti-vaccine messages, asking if he would take action for products to be withdrawn from circulation.

Kennedy, who resigned from the board of Children’s Health Defense months ago, denied having control over the organization or its activities. He stated, “I have no power over that organization. I’m not a part of it,” but Sanders pressed further, emphasizing Kennedy’s founding role in the group and its continued sale of controversial merchandise.

Thereupon Kennedy reaffirmed his acceptance of vaccines but stated there is a need for “good science” on healthcare decisions, but he refused to say whether he would try to prevent the organization’s selling anti-vaccine merchandise. Sanders went further in questioning Kennedy about whether he would use his authority to not let sales occur on items that endorse the idea against vaccination.

The exchange highlighted the tension between Kennedy’s past involvement with Children’s Health Defense and his current nomination to lead a government agency focused on public health. Despite Kennedy’s repeated statements of support for vaccines, the controversy surrounding the group’s merchandise remained a focal point of the hearing.