In the first confirmation hearing held on Wednesday of President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F Kennedy Jr faced a heated grilling by Senate Democrats, particularly Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

The tension during the hearing reached a boiling point when Kennedy accused the distribution of taxpayer money; Warren was not slow to throw back pointed questions about his vaccine and pharmaceutical industries stance.

The most vocal anti-vaccine advocate, Kennedy, questioned Warren’s defense of pharmaceutical interests, accusing her of protecting Big Pharma. “Senator, you’re asking me not to sue vaccine manufacturers!” Kennedy exclaimed, calling out Warren’s position.

Warren, visibly frustrated, denied the accusation, shouting, “No! I am not!” She went on to warn that, as HHS Secretary, Kennedy would have the power to undermine vaccines and the pharmaceutical industry.

Kennedy reassured the committee that he would follow all ethical guidelines, but the exchange revealed the wide chasm between him and Democratic lawmakers on public health issues.

What surfaced in this fiery exchange is political and ideological tensions surrounding the whole confirmation process around Kennedy, while his stance towards vaccines and pharma companies clearly became the greatest point of disagreement. From there, it goes without saying that Kennedy’s confirmation will definitely raise opposition among most Senate Democrats.