7 months ago
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WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee to pb the Department of Health and Human Services, volition look senators Wednesday for the archetypal of 2 confirmation hearings.
The hearing, acceptable to instrumentality spot earlier the Senate Finance Committee, is expected to absorption connected Kennedy's stances connected vaccines and abortion.
If confirmed, Kennedy volition power a $1.7 trillion bureau that oversees nutrient and infirmary inspections, hundreds of wellness clinics, vaccine recommendations and wellness security for astir fractional the country.
Wednesday's confirmation proceeding is acceptable to statesman astatine 10 a.m. ET. Kennedy's 2nd proceeding is acceptable for Thursday earlier the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee.
What are RFK Jr.'s views connected vaccines and abortion?
Kennedy, a erstwhile 2024 Democratic statesmanlike campaigner who dropped retired and endorsed Trump, has sparked concerns astir his grounds of spreading misinformation regarding vaccines. He has made claims linking vaccines to autism and has said that "no vaccine is harmless and effective."
However, much recently, Kennedy has tried to downplay his past remarks and work, asserting helium is not anti-vaccine and promising not to “take away” shots if confirmed.
Additionally, immoderate Republicans are disquieted astir Kennedy's past enactment of termination rights. Former Vice President Mike Pence has suggested the Senate cull Kennedy based connected his position.
Caroline Kennedy slams RFK Jr. arsenic a 'predator'
Meanwhile, a searing letter to senators from Caroline Kennedy, girl of erstwhile President John F. Kennedy, could bring fireworks.
In the letter, Caroline Kennedy, erstwhile ambassador to Australia and Japan, called Kennedy a "predator," urging lawmakers to artifact his confirmation. She besides made claims that helium "preys connected the desperation of parents of sick children" and highlighted allegations of cause usage and carnal mutilation, informing helium is addicted to powerfulness and frankincense disqualified from starring HHS.
"Unlike Bobby, I effort not to talk for my begetter — but I americium definite that helium and my uncle Bobby, who
gave their lives successful nationalist service, and my uncle Teddy, who devoted his Senate vocation to improving
health care, would beryllium disgusted," Caroline Kennedy wrote.
What are RJK Jr.'s chances of getting confirmed?
Kennedy's confirmation remains uncertain, with immoderate Republicans connected some committees inactive not committing to a vote. He has received immoderate enactment among Democrats for his stances connected nutrient regulations and removing dyes and additives.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., a doc and seat of the Senate Health Committee, has voiced concerns astir Kennedy's past vaccine comments. He's said he's spoken with Kennedy but remains undecided.
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., who volition enactment successful Wednesday's hearing, has raised concerns over Kennedy's abortion views.
Other senators, including Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., person shown a willingness to enactment him.
"We don't hold connected everything, but what we some hold is that America has immoderate wellness problems, and we judge that the cardinal to fixing that is nutrition, arsenic good arsenic decreasing their chronic vulnerability to toxins. So, I look guardant to moving with him," Marshall said.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., a polio subsister who has emphasized the value of the vaccine, could beryllium different cardinal fig to watch.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
