President-elect Trump’s choose of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to guide the Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS) set off instant alarm amongst Democrats and public well being consultants, however up to now the reception amongst key Senate Republicans has ranged from enthusiastic to open-minded.
Kennedy is a outstanding vaccine skeptic who argues the rise of continual illnesses in America may be traced to ultra-processed meals, environmental toxins and chemical components. He additionally blames fluoridated water and vaccines, and desires to extend entry to uncooked milk.
“RFK Jr. has championed issues like healthy foods and the need for greater transparency in our public health infrastructure,” Sen. Invoice Cassidy (R-La.) mentioned in a press release Thursday. “I look forward to learning more about his other policy positions and how they will support a conservative, pro-American agenda.”
Cassidy will lead the Senate Well being, Training, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee subsequent session. The HELP Committee has jurisdiction over most well being nominees, however Kennedy’s nomination will run by means of the Senate Finance Committee.
If all Democrats on the committee oppose him, it’ll take only some GOP defectors to sink the nomination.
Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), the anticipated chair of the Finance Committee, mentioned in a press release he was additionally trying ahead to studying extra about Kennedy’s agenda.
“RFK Jr. has prioritized addressing chronic diseases through consumer choice and healthy lifestyle. American patients, providers and taxpayers deserve a health care system that is efficient, effective and affordable. I look forward to considering his nomination before the Finance Committee,” Crapo mentioned.
Kennedy has spent years questioning the security of vaccines and different medicine. The notion that he may probably run the companies that regulate them has spooked Wall Road, in addition to many outstanding voices in public well being.
Kennedy confronted a spread of scandals since launching his impartial run for president, from revelations about dumping a lifeless bear in Central Park to partaking in a romantic, although not bodily, relationship with a well known journal reporter. He’s additionally twice divorced and has admitted to being a serial philanderer and heavy drug consumer as a youthful man.
“I told my wife the other day, I said, ‘I got so many skeletons in my closet that if they could vote, I could be king of the world,’” Kennedy mentioned final yr when he launched his presidential marketing campaign.
Kennedy was the most recent controversial Cupboard choose from Trump, who seems to be testing the loyalty of his Republican allies in Congress. However his nomination has not raised as a lot GOP skepticism as former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for legal professional common, and even Pete Hegseth, a Fox Information host and army veteran, to guide the Pentagon.
Nonetheless, Democrats and public well being consultants are urging senators to dam his nomination.
“There is no telling how far a fringe conspiracy theorist like RFK Jr. could set back America in terms of public health, reproductive rights, research and innovation, and so much else,” Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) mentioned in a press release.
“Confirming RFK Jr. as HHS Secretary would be nothing short of a disaster for the health of millions of families,” she added.
Kennedy is an environmental lawyer with no formal well being or medical diploma, or expertise working a authorities company or giant enterprise. If confirmed, he’ll take over a sprawling company with a funds of practically $2 trillion. It has 13 subagencies which are accountable for administering federal well being packages together with Medicare, Medicaid and the Inexpensive Care Act.
HHS can also be accountable for responding to illnesses and public well being threats like COVID-19 and chicken flu, in addition to approving new medicine, together with vaccines. Consultants say nearly each side of People’ lives are touched not directly by HHS.
Republicans could have 53 seats subsequent yr, and Kennedy solely wants 51 to be confirmed.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who sits on the Finance Committee, provided excessive reward of Kennedy.
“He’s a brilliant, courageous truth-teller whose unwavering commitment to transparency will make America a healthier nation,” Johnson mentioned in a put up Thursday on social platform X after Kennedy’s nomination was introduced.
In a “Fox & Friends” interview Friday, Johnson elaborated.
“I’m a big supporter of him. I think Bobby Kennedy can probably have the most, make the most significant impact on America’s health than probably anybody,” Johnson mentioned.
Kennedy additionally was praised by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), one other Finance Committee member.
“As Secretary of Health and Human Services, [Kennedy] will honor his commitment to put the health of Americans first,” Blackburn mentioned in a put up on X. “Another great choice by President Trump.”
Different GOP senators haven’t reacted enthusiastically to the nomination, but additionally haven’t indicated they are going to attempt to cease it.
“The President does have the authority and the duty to make nominations. We do give the President the good thing about the doubt,” Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) mentioned on CNN.
“I do not count on that the Senate as an entire goes to do something besides what they’ve accomplished previously, which is to vet every particular person, to ask the exhausting questions after which to resolve whether or not or not there’s a motive to not assist their nomination,” Rounds mentioned.
Incoming Senate Majority Chief John Thune (R-S.D.) acknowledged throughout a Thursday night interview on Fox Information’s “Special Report with Bret Baier” that just a few Republican senators may oppose a few of Trump’s nominees.
“None of this is gonna be easy,” Thune mentioned. “I always believe that you defer to a president when it comes to the people they want in their Cabinet.”
However he added that the Senate will conduct due diligence on all of Trump’s nominees. Trump has demanded the Senate let him make recess appointments to bypass any GOP opposition to his nominees and bypass affirmation hearings. However Thune acknowledged that will be a troublesome elevate.
