Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He was caught up in a heated debate with Senator Patty Murray during a hearing Wednesday at Capitol Hill after Senators accused Kennedy and the Trump administration of delaying key cancer care for one person named Natalie.
Kennedy told Murray he wanted to do “everything” on his own, and told the senator to repeatedly contact his office to investigate personal cases in order to help her members. However, his answer was not enough for the senator, so Kennedy ultimately led him to ask whether or not to ask a question. Washington State The Democrats actually cared about her constituent, Natalie.
“One of my constituents – her name is Natalie Phelps. She is a mother of two from Bainbridge Island, Washington. She is fighting offensive stage 4. Colorectal cancer Almost five years. Her best hope is the clinical trials she is taking part in. [National Institutes of Health’s] Clinical Center,” Murray said at the opening line of questions directed towards Kennedy.
“But as the thousands of important employees across the NIH and HHS you carried fired up thousands of important employees in large quantities, Natalie’s doctor at that clinical center told her there was no choice but to delay her treatment for another four weeks.”
Murray added that these four weeks of delayed care could mean the difference between Natalie and “the difference between life and death.” She also requested that Kennedy be given a “specific” number of employees cut at the NIH clinical center.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was caught up in a heated debate with Sen. Patty Murray on Wednesday during the 2026 HHS budget hearing. (Getty Images; Fox News)
“I can’t say that now, Senator Murray,” Kennedy replied. “When I contact my office tomorrow, I’ll specifically look into it.”
But that answer from Kennedy was “unacceptable” by the senator.
“That’s not acceptable. I want an answer,” Murray shot back, and in the end, Kennedy provided an update on Natalie’s case within 24 hours.
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“Why don’t you take her to that clinical trial as soon as possible?” Kennedy shot back.
“Absolutely,” Murray said.
“It’s okay, if I contact my office tomorrow, this is…,” Kennedy said before Murray cut him off.
“Natalie is sitting there waiting for treatment. You’re here…” Murray said before inserting it to remind her that Kennedy is trying to help Natalie’s situation.
“I’m offering to help here, but you don’t care. You don’t care about Natalie,” Kennedy told Murray. [his] The power to try and get Natalie in [the clinical trial quicker.]”
President Donald Trump has cut billions of dollars from the NIH budget since taking office. (Aramie/Getty Images)
Spat ended with Murray pivoting another question linked to the Trump administration’s cuts. Kennedy spent most of Wednesday Capitol Hill Fielding’s question. Kennedy also attended another home hearing on Wednesday, covering issues facing HHS and other issues.
HHS Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies on May 14, 2025 before the House Approximate Budget Committee on Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
Kennedy told lawmakers he didn’t know the agency’s head he wanted to see. The budget has been reduced, However, he pointed out that he was not president. Kennedy said he has a “broader vision” when it comes to spending priorities.
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“We have to be smarter,” Kennedy said Wednesday in response to inquiries about Trump’s cuts at the HHS. “We’re moving our funds away from bureaucracy to a direct impact.”
