The conservative group based by former Vice President Mike Pence is asking on senators to vote towards confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Well being and Human Providers (HHS) Secretary due to his earlier help for abortion.
“Regardless of the deserves of RFK Jr’s Make America Wholesome Once more initiative—certainly, no matter different qualities a nominee would possibly possess—an HHS Secretary should have a agency dedication to guard unborn kids, or else bend beneath the stress and pushback surrounding these each day, important selections,” Advancing American Freedom President Tim Chapman and Board Chairman Marc Brief wrote in a letter to senators.
“While RFK Jr. has made certain overtures to pro-life leaders that he would be mindful of their concerns at HHS, there is little reason for confidence at this time,” they wrote.
That is the second formal try from Pence and his group to derail Kennedy’s affirmation. Shortly after Trump introduced Kennedy’s nomination, Pence in an announcement urged senators to reject him due to his earlier help for abortion.
Kennedy, who initially launched his presidential marketing campaign as a Democrat, endorsed a ban on abortion after the primary trimester however then shortly backtracked. He additionally steered he opposed banning abortion earlier than fetal viability, typically round 24 weeks right into a being pregnant.
On his marketing campaign web site, Kennedy mentioned he’s “a firm supporter of the principles laid out 50 years ago in Roe v. Wade” and that “if the courts do not overturn Dobbs v. Jackson and restore abortion rights, he will support legislation to accomplish the same.”
However his previous statements don’t appear to fret GOP senators, most of whom have enthusiastically endorsed Kennedy after assembly with him.
Kennedy has been attempting to reassure Republicans by saying his private views don’t matter, and he’ll implement all the anti-abortion insurance policies from the primary Trump administration.
President-elect Trump has repeatedly mentioned abortion entry ought to be decided by particular person states and throughout the marketing campaign tried to run as a average on the difficulty.
However Pence, a staunch spiritual conservative, has turn out to be an occasional critic of his former boss on coverage positions, particularly abortion. Pence beforehand mentioned Trump’s stance was a “slap in the face” to abortion opponents.
