Although many of President Donald Trump’s picks to serve in key roles during his second term have received enthusiastic endorsements from GOP senators who will vote to confirm them, a few nominees have met some intraparty pushback.
Former Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr., for example, has been seen as a possible no-go based on conservative opposition to several of his policy positions. Nevertheless, a number of both supporters and critics in the chamber have recently met with him and are at least more open to supporting him as the next director of the Department of Health and Human Services.
According to The Hill:
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) said he felt Kennedy was personable, even though they have vastly different views on the fossil fuel industry and how it impacts public health.
Mullin said he thinks Kennedy is asking appropriate questions about the science and safety behind some vaccines.
“The more you talk to him, the more he explains it, the more you like him,” Mullin said.
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), a physician, is among the most enthusiastic of Kennedy’s backers. He immediately endorsed Kennedy after their meeting.
Later in the week, he launched a “Make America Healthy Again” caucus with Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).
ADVERTISEMENT“Right now, America does not have their health. You think about it, 60 percent of Americans have a chronic disease, 20 percent of our kids are on some type of medication. Let’s put air beneath RFK Jr.’s dream – and this is my dream, too,” Marshall said Friday on Fox News.
To date, Kennedy has mostly met with staunch conservatives, many who are both close allies of President-elect Trump and most likely to object to the nominee’s previous pro-abortion stance.
But after meeting with him, they have expressed no reservations.
Kennedy’s meetings with senators in both parties have sparked significant social media attention in recent days:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. RFK departs meeting with Sen. Steve Daines — arrives meeting with Sen. James Lankford pic.twitter.com/AVob6HU5ZH
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) December 17, 2024
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. RFK arrives meeting with Sen. Roger Marshall pic.twitter.com/D6nJfbCuoE
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) December 17, 2024
Murkowski says she’s meeting with RFK Jr either tomorrow or Thursday
— Nancy Vu (@Vu_Reports) December 17, 2024
🚨 SENATOR KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND (D-NY) SINGS KENNEDY'S PRAISES AFTER MEETING WITH HIM: "WE HAVE A LOT OF COMMON GROUND"
"RFK Jr. spoke about food safety issues, which I care a lot about. I sit on the Agriculture Committee, testing food, particularly food that goes into our… pic.twitter.com/HMIf68x638
— Lauren Lee (@sheislaurenlee) December 18, 2024
Kennedy’s promotion of a “Make America Healthy Again” campaign has drawn praise from across the political spectrum, and a group of Senate Republicans recently launched a committee aimed at furthering the movement.
According to National Review:
Republican Senators Marshall (Kan.), Tuberville (Ala.), Scott (Fla.), Lummis (Wyo.), and Johnson (Wis.) founded the MAHA caucus Thursday as Kennedy met with Republicans on Capitol Hill to begin setting the agenda for his tenure as President elect Donald Trump’s HHS director.
“The MAHA caucus is committed to improving health outcomes by prioritizing nutrition, providing access to affordable, nutrient-dense foods, and focusing on primary care availability to tackle the root causes of chronic diseases,” Marshall said in a statement.
“With our ‘Food is Medicine’ approach, support from RFK Jr., and a shared goal to Make America Healthy Again, we aim to foster transparency, innovation, and a transformative agenda that builds a healthier, stronger nation.”
Here’s some additional coverage of the nominee’s recent meetings on Capitol Hill:
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