Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s unorthodox pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, kicked off his Senate meetings with a friendly reception from supportive senators.
But in a sign of how his controversial views may throw up roadblocks, Kennedy spent Monday reaffirming he doesn’t want to do away with the polio vaccine.
RFK Jr. entered Monday on the proverbial back foot, seeking to play defense after a New York Times report from last week disclosed that Kennedy’s lawyer, Aaron Siri, had sought to strip FDA approval for the polio vaccine, a triumph of U.S. public health efforts in the post World War II era.
Upon entering the Hart Senate Office Building, Kennedy told waiting reporters “I’m all for the polio vaccine.”
Nevertheless, in initial meetings with pro-Trump Republican Sens. Rick Scott (Fla.), Ron Johnson (Wis.), Markwayne Mullin (Okla.) and Tim Scott (S.C.), Kennedy heard from a receptive audience.
“Bobby’s going to get confirmed,” Mullin predicted.
“I’m supportive of his nomination. He’s going to do a great job,” Johnson added.
Things, however, will get harder from here for Kennedy. More skeptical GOP moderates may bristle at the former Democrat’s views on vaccinations.
Kennedy continued to discuss his controversial view that a link exists between childhood vaccinations and autism. Mullin recounted how Kennedy noted the increased rates of autism in American kids and brought up that Ireland — which “has the same style of vaccination” — also has a similar rate of autism.
Mullin said that Kennedy was simply asking questions about a potential linkage. But other senators may not view the topic as charitably.
What’s next for RFK Jr.: Incoming Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) said he wants to hold Kennedy’s confirmation hearing during the first two weeks of January.
Crapo only had positive things to say about the HHS nominee, praising Kennedy’s views on healthy living. Crapo declined to weigh in on Kennedy’s vaccine takes until after he has a chance to sit down with the nominee on Tuesday.
Other nominees: Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee to be defense secretary, will meet with Sen.-elect Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Kennedy (R-La.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.).
Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii), Trump’s pick to be the director of national intelligence, will meet with Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine).
