Health Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is scheduled to return to Capitol Hill this week for a second round of confirmation hearings, where lawmakers from both parties are expected to question him about his positions on vaccines and public health policies.

The hearings come as Kennedy has launched a new podcast called "Secretary Kennedy Podcast," which debuted last week with a trailer and first episode. The show marks a continuation of his media presence following his previous podcast "The RFK Jr Podcast."

In promotional materials for the new podcast, Kennedy stated that "children are sicker, chronic disease is exploding and the answers we've been given aren't working." He also said that "many of us have come to the conclusion that the government actually lies to us," despite now being nominated for a senior government position.

During the upcoming hearings, Democrats and some Republicans are expected to press Kennedy about potential changes to childhood vaccine schedules and proposed budget cuts to health programs. Kennedy's previous statements questioning vaccine safety and efficacy have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and public health officials.

The confirmation process for Kennedy's nomination as Health and Human Services Secretary has been closely watched given his history of promoting views that diverge from mainstream medical consensus on vaccines and other health issues.