Robert F Kennedy Jr., President Trump's nominee for the country's top health official, faced a grilling from US senators on Wednesday as he sought to quell criticisms from both sides of the aisle over his record on vaccines and abortion.
Panel grills Donald Trump ’s nominee for top health post on abortion stance and ‘Make America Healthy Again’ agenda
Mr Kennedy also sought to allay concerns from some anti-abortion Republican senators over his shifting stance on the procedure. On four occasions, Mr Kennedy stressed that he agreed with Mr Trump that “every abortion is a tragedy”, saying he would defer to the president’s policies on the abortion pill mifepristone.
Republicans James Lankford and Thom Tillis, both viewed as possible opponents of Mr Kennedy’s confirmation, took a more conciliatory approach. Mr Kennedy assured Mr Lankford that he would back the president’s policies on abortion. Mr Tillis said he expected the vote to split along party lines: “Some of these nominations are going to be shirts and skins.”
He also sought to downplay Republican concerns over his plan to shake up the food industry. “I don’t want to take food away from anybody,” he said. “If you like a cheeseburger – a McDonald’s cheeseburger and a Diet Coke like my boss – you should be able to get them.” The Republican-controlled Senate has not rejected any of Mr Trump’s nominees so far. His controversial defence secretary pick, Pete Hegseth, squeaked by in a 51-50 vote after vice-president JD Vance was needed to break a tie on Friday, despite concerns that the nominee was not qualified for the position, and allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse.
ROBERT F KENNEDY JR NOMINATION HEALTH ABORTION VACCINES TRUMP
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