GOP opposition to RFK Jr.'s nomination might threaten his confirmation
The president of the anti-abortion organization SBA Pro-Life America stated, “there's no question that we need a pro-life HHS secretary, and of course, we have concerns about” Kennedy.
TroibNews 
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long been associated with controversy, and now he is encountering significant pushback from Republicans regarding his views on vaccines, fluoride in drinking water, abortion, and other matters. This backlash could jeopardize his confirmation as the next secretary of Health and Human Services.
Following President-elect Donald Trump's selection of Kennedy for the role, The New York Post's editorial board, which leans Republican, referred to his opinions as “a head-scratching spaghetti” of “warped conspiracy theories, and not just on vaccines.” Anti-abortion organizations, such as SBA Pro-Life America, have expressed concerns regarding his nomination, citing his support for abortion rights.
Kennedy's suggestion to eliminate fluoride from public water supplies has also puzzled even Republican dentists. Jeffrey Singer, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and a general surgeon, expressed his worries: “I am concerned that many of RFK Jr.‘s claims about vaccine safety, environmental toxins, and food additives lack evidence, have stoked public fears, and contributed to a decline in childhood vaccination rates. His calls to ban pharmaceutical advertising violate the First Amendment right to freely share and exchange information, including scientific information, and infringe on the individual right to self-medicate.”
Kennedy's advocacy for “full term” abortions, typically related to fatal fetal anomalies, is drawing criticism from anti-abortion activists and conservatives. While he described all abortions as a “tragedy” during a podcast interview, he argued that government restrictions on abortion would contradict his stance against government-mandated vaccines. The following day, his campaign attempted to clarify his position, saying he supported some limits on abortion.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, stated, “there's no question that we need a pro-life HHS secretary, and of course, we have concerns about” Kennedy. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who has had disagreements with Trump while running for the GOP presidential nomination, also expressed that Kennedy’s appointment would be “deeply concerning” due to his views on abortion and would represent “an abrupt departure from the pro-life record” established during Trump's first term.
Despite requests for comments, Kennedy's spokesperson did not respond.
On the campaign trail, Kennedy has also endorsed drinking raw milk, which can pose health risks; expressed opposition to WiFi, Bluetooth, and using cellphones near the head due to radiation concerns; and consistently raised doubts about the safety and effectiveness of childhood vaccines and the Covid-19 vaccine.
Many of Kennedy's controversial health beliefs have been furthered by the nonprofit Children’s Health Defense (CHD), where he has served as board chair for several years. The organization has engaged in legal actions against vaccine mandates and has opposed the placement of cell towers, as well as injuries it claims resulted from the Gardasil vaccine, which protects against HPV.
Although Kennedy has taken a leave from the CHD board since announcing his presidential campaign, he has still received compensation from the organization, as indicated by his personal financial disclosures. Additionally, several staff members and volunteers from CHD have worked on his presidential campaign.
Before Trump's election, Kennedy suggested removing fluoride from water sources, a proposal that was met with strong resistance from dentists, including Rep. Brian Babin, who is also a dentist. He remarked to The Bulwark, “I was the mayor of my little town. I have five children. We put fluoride in our water system many, many years ago. My kids are all grown up and have 17 grandkids now. We don't have any health problems.”
Babin did not provide a response to PMG regarding Kennedy's appointment.
While the co-chairs of the House GOP Doctors Caucus have not yet commented, several members voiced support for Trump’s right to choose his Cabinet members. Kennedy later softened his stance on fluoride, indicating that he would focus on researching and advising public utilities instead.
As for Kennedy's views on pharmaceuticals and vaccines, the industry's reaction during the Senate confirmation process remains uncertain. One anonymous pharmaceutical lobbyist noted a public statement from Sue Peschin, president of the Alliance for Aging Research, who declared that her organization would “OPPOSE an RFK Jr. nomination, and we respectfully urge President-Elect Trump to please choose someone who is not anti-science.” This could indicate the challenges Kennedy may face ahead.
The lobbyist further remarked, “You know, they're ostensibly a patient group, but there's a decent level of industry coordination behind a lot of their efforts.”
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
Following President-elect Donald Trump's selection of Kennedy for the role, The New York Post's editorial board, which leans Republican, referred to his opinions as “a head-scratching spaghetti” of “warped conspiracy theories, and not just on vaccines.” Anti-abortion organizations, such as SBA Pro-Life America, have expressed concerns regarding his nomination, citing his support for abortion rights.
Kennedy's suggestion to eliminate fluoride from public water supplies has also puzzled even Republican dentists. Jeffrey Singer, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and a general surgeon, expressed his worries: “I am concerned that many of RFK Jr.‘s claims about vaccine safety, environmental toxins, and food additives lack evidence, have stoked public fears, and contributed to a decline in childhood vaccination rates. His calls to ban pharmaceutical advertising violate the First Amendment right to freely share and exchange information, including scientific information, and infringe on the individual right to self-medicate.”
Kennedy's advocacy for “full term” abortions, typically related to fatal fetal anomalies, is drawing criticism from anti-abortion activists and conservatives. While he described all abortions as a “tragedy” during a podcast interview, he argued that government restrictions on abortion would contradict his stance against government-mandated vaccines. The following day, his campaign attempted to clarify his position, saying he supported some limits on abortion.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, stated, “there's no question that we need a pro-life HHS secretary, and of course, we have concerns about” Kennedy. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who has had disagreements with Trump while running for the GOP presidential nomination, also expressed that Kennedy’s appointment would be “deeply concerning” due to his views on abortion and would represent “an abrupt departure from the pro-life record” established during Trump's first term.
Despite requests for comments, Kennedy's spokesperson did not respond.
On the campaign trail, Kennedy has also endorsed drinking raw milk, which can pose health risks; expressed opposition to WiFi, Bluetooth, and using cellphones near the head due to radiation concerns; and consistently raised doubts about the safety and effectiveness of childhood vaccines and the Covid-19 vaccine.
Many of Kennedy's controversial health beliefs have been furthered by the nonprofit Children’s Health Defense (CHD), where he has served as board chair for several years. The organization has engaged in legal actions against vaccine mandates and has opposed the placement of cell towers, as well as injuries it claims resulted from the Gardasil vaccine, which protects against HPV.
Although Kennedy has taken a leave from the CHD board since announcing his presidential campaign, he has still received compensation from the organization, as indicated by his personal financial disclosures. Additionally, several staff members and volunteers from CHD have worked on his presidential campaign.
Before Trump's election, Kennedy suggested removing fluoride from water sources, a proposal that was met with strong resistance from dentists, including Rep. Brian Babin, who is also a dentist. He remarked to The Bulwark, “I was the mayor of my little town. I have five children. We put fluoride in our water system many, many years ago. My kids are all grown up and have 17 grandkids now. We don't have any health problems.”
Babin did not provide a response to PMG regarding Kennedy's appointment.
While the co-chairs of the House GOP Doctors Caucus have not yet commented, several members voiced support for Trump’s right to choose his Cabinet members. Kennedy later softened his stance on fluoride, indicating that he would focus on researching and advising public utilities instead.
As for Kennedy's views on pharmaceuticals and vaccines, the industry's reaction during the Senate confirmation process remains uncertain. One anonymous pharmaceutical lobbyist noted a public statement from Sue Peschin, president of the Alliance for Aging Research, who declared that her organization would “OPPOSE an RFK Jr. nomination, and we respectfully urge President-Elect Trump to please choose someone who is not anti-science.” This could indicate the challenges Kennedy may face ahead.
The lobbyist further remarked, “You know, they're ostensibly a patient group, but there's a decent level of industry coordination behind a lot of their efforts.”
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
