Auchincloss urges Senate to vote ‘no’ on RFK Jr. appointment
President-Elect Donald Trump has named Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his pick to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss is asking Democrats in the Senate to vote against that appointment.
Kennedy—known for his controversial views on vaccines and medical treatment—ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for president this year before launching an independent bid and then dropping out to endorse Trump.
Auchincloss recently appeared on MSNBC to call on Democratic senators to oppose Kennedy’s appointment to the Trump cabinet.
“Any Democrat who votes to confirm RFK is betraying the Democratic Party’s longstanding commitment to children’s health and science,” Auchincloss said. “This is a man who thinks that no vaccine is safe and effective, despite the fact that vaccines have saved 146 million lives in the last 50 years. This is a man who does not think that AIDS is caused by a virus. No Democrat should be voting ‘yes’ for RFK.”
Auchincloss probably doesn’t have to worry about Massachusetts senators.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren recently posted a video on X mocking Kennedy’s opposition to vaccines and fluoride.
“Say goodbye to your smile and say hello to polio—that’s what’s on the horizon if Robert F. Kennedy Jr. becomes the Secretary of Health and Human Services,” Warren said.
U.S. Sen. Ed Markey was just as forceful, though not as cheeky.
“Robert Kennedy Jr. is an unqualified, unserious, and dangerous nominee for US Secretary of Health and Human Services,” Markey posted on X. “We need to improve our health care system, not expose Americans to the danger of his misinformation and lies.”
Republicans will have 53 seats in the Senate in January, so there isn’t much that Democrats can do other than verbally object.
By: Bryan McGonigle
Source: The Newton Beacon