Asked whether she regrets voting to confirm Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Collins said she disagrees with him strongly on vaccines, including his theory linking some vaccines to autism, which she said the “overwhelming scientific evidence” rejects. But she said she agrees with his focus on chronic diseases and ultra-processed foods.
Pressed for a yes or no, she said it wasn’t a regret, and she credited Kennedy with helping speed the early release of heating aid to Maine last week. On White House budget director Russell Vought, she said they fight often, and she pointed to Congress rejecting his proposed 41% cut to medical research and instead increasing it by $415 million.
