Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attempted to walk back his past anti-vaccine and pro-abortion rights stances in his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday as he fielded questions from both sides of the aisle. The big picture: In his hearing,

Over rigorous questioning from senators Wednesday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. laid out his vision to lead the Department Health and Human Services, while backtracking on his past statements in support of abortion and against vaccines.

Kennedy was pressed to clarify his views on vaccines, abortion and public health priorities in the first of two senate hearings scheduled.