Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Thursday confronted a second day of anticipated fierce grilling at his Senate affirmation hearings to be President Trump’s well being secretary.
The longtime anti-vaccine activist endured extra sharp questioning from Democrats and even some GOP lawmakers about his vaccine skepticism, together with shifting views on abortion and meals and drug security.
Kennedy sought to border himself as a fearless proponent of ending persistent illness and enhancing the well being of all People.
“The nation is ready for change,” Kennedy mentioned. “If confirmed, I will do everything in my power to put the health of Americans back on track.”
Kennedy put in a shaky efficiency on his first day of hearings earlier than the finance committee, which has oversight over some facets of the sprawling well being and human companies function.
He didn’t successfully rebut his previous harsh assaults on life-saving vaccines, deserted his long-standing place supporting abortion rights and even blended up Medicare and Medicaid.
Issues didn’t get any smoother on Thursday when he appeared at a well being committee listening to chaired by Sen. Invoice Cassidy (R-LA), a medical physician who says he’s undecided on Kennedy’s nomination.
“Your past of undermining confidence in vaccines with unfounded or misleading arguments concerns me,” Cassidy mentioned. “Can I trust that that is now in the past?”
Kennedy dodged Cassidy’s demand that he concede there is no such thing as a hyperlink between vaccines and autism, a junk science conspiracy principle Kennedy has repeated.
“That is a very troubling response because the studies are there,” progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders chimed in. “Your job was to have looked at those studies as an applicant for this job.”
Democrats tore into Kennedy over his previous statements that “no vaccine is safe and effective,” and his multimillion greenback deal referring purchasers to legislation corporations suing a vaccine maker, a gig he says he’ll maintain even when he’s confirmed to a job overseeing the business.
Some Republicans, particularly these from farm states, sounded lower than pleased with Kennedy’s claims that Huge Ag and meals processing corporations are poisoning generations of People, particularly youngsters.
He sought to fix fences with conservative opponents of abortion rights by asserting that he would implement Trump’s insurance policies. That features the stance that states could ban or severely restrict abortion despite the fact that RFK Jr. had beforehand passionately mentioned girls ought to have the suitable to decide on no matter the place they dwell.
Like all Trump cupboard nominees, Kennedy, 71, doubtless wants 50 votes for affirmation, which means he can most likely afford to lose the assist of not more than three GOP lawmakers.
Reasonable Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Lisa Murkowski are thought of robust sells for RFK Jr.
Former GOP Senate Chief Mitch McConnell, in the meantime, survived childhood polio and is a fervent advocate for vaccines, making him one other potential no vote.
On the Democratic aspect, Sen. John Fetterman is a possible wild card. The Pennsylvania lawmaker met with Kennedy and says he hasn’t determined whether or not to oppose his nomination.
Initially Revealed: January 30, 2025 at 10:13 AM EST
