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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will testify before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, January 29, as he seeks confirmation as the nation’s health secretary.

Ahead of his confirmation hearing, articles about the sound of his voice and his spasmodic dysphonia have been in the news. This is what you need to know about the condition.

Newsweek has reached out to a representative for Kennedy via email for comment.

Why It Matters

Kennedy’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services under President Donald Trump has raised concerns due to his controversial views, particularly those on vaccines.

As chairman of the nonprofit Children’s Health Defense, he has been outspoken about the safety of vaccines, despite overwhelming scientific consensus supporting their efficacy.

Kennedy has denied advocating for a ban on vaccines but has questioned their safety, which has in turn drawn criticism from experts.

What Happened to RFK Jr’s Voice?

Kennedy has said he first noticed a change in his voice in 1996, when he was 42.

In an April 2024 article in the Los Angeles Times, he said he “can’t stand” the sound of his voice. “But the injury is neurological, so actually, the more I use the voice, the stronger it tends to get,” he said, adding, “If I could sound better, I would.”

Kennedy has acknowledged that there is no proof the flu vaccine contributed to his spasmodic dysphonia, but said he views the vaccine as “at least a potential culprit.”

What Is Spasmodic Dysphonia?

Spasmodic dysphonia is a chronic neurological voice disorder that causes involuntary spasms in the muscles of the larynx (voice box), leading to interruptions in speech. It affects the way the vocal cords open and close, resulting in a strained, strangled or breathy voice.

The condition is considered a form of focal dystonia, a movement disorder that causes muscle contractions in a specific body part.

The condition impacts about 50,000 people in North America.

The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to result from dysfunction in the basal ganglia, a part of the brain that controls movement. Though not caused by emotional stress, this may exacerbate symptoms and, in some cases, there may be a genetic component.

Symptoms include sudden, involuntary breaks in speech, a voice that sounds strained, breathy or weak, difficulty speaking fluently, especially on certain words or phrases, and worsening symptoms with stress or fatigue.

Spasmodic dysphonia can be considered a disability, depending on the severity and the impact it has on a person’s ability to communicate and perform daily activities.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in four adults in the United States—over 70 million people—reported having a disability in 2022.

What Happens Next

Kennedy’s first hearing is set for 10:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday before the Senate Finance Committee in Room G-50 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

The second hearing will take place at 10:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, January 30, before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in Room 562 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

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