GOP Senator Pushes Back on RFK Jr. Nomination

Donald Trump managed to get the support of Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during the election, likely promising him a spot in his administration.

That speculation appeared to have been proven true when Trump nominated Kennedy as his director of the HHS, but that nomination may not be easy to get through.

Kennedy on Vaccinations

I have not hidden my displeasure of Trump nominating some Democrats to his administration, Kennedy being one of them. I just don’t trust them, period.

For Republicans in the Senate, it goes a bit deeper, as Kennedy’s opinions on vaccinations have caused some concern.

Kennedy’s position on vaccines is well-known, as he has challenged the efficacy of vaccines as well as having presented some fringe studies to back his stance.

Some may consider Kennedy a lunatic, but he is a serious lunatic, and he is very convincing when he speaks, which terrifies people who support vaccines on both sides of the aisle.

Republican Resistance

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) is among those who will not automatically give Kennedy a stamp of approval.

He was recently asked about Kennedy’s nomination and his stance on immigration, and he stated, “I haven’t spoken to him about it. I just don’t know. I will meet with him this coming week. I look forward to the interview. I agree with him on some things and disagree on others.

“There’s food safety. I think the ultra-processed food is a problem. Vaccinations, he’s wrong on. And so and so I just look forward to having a good dialog with him on that.”

Kennedy is going to have to impress numerous Republicans on this front or his nomination will get blocked because he is already facing serious opposition on the left.

Democrat Resistance

There are numerous Democrat groups opposing Kennedy, and there are plenty of Democrats in the Senate that also oppose him, so there is very little wiggle room on the right side of the aisle here.

For instance, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) called him “deranged,” adding, “We don't have to treat conspiracy theorists like RFK Jr. with kid gloves. It's simple. He's spent his career fighting school vaccine programs. If they atrophy, kids will get killed.

“[E]ven if RFK Jr. doesn't legally weaken school vaccine requirements (and he might!), his elevation to HHS Secretary will amplify his conspiracy views. When vaccine rates drop because of RFK Jr.'s conspiracy spreading - kids get killed.”

I am an outside aisle guy at the supermarket, so I support Kennedy’s stance on processed foods, but I am not all-in on everything, and I refuse to give anyone blanket support just because Trump says he likes the guy. I really want to hear what Kennedy says during these hearings and vet every claim he makes. I am sure there are quite a few Republicans who feel the same way, so we will just have to wait and see how he does, then make our call after the hearing.