Kennedy’s appointment generates storm in the American Senate

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces bipartisan resistance in the Senate for his controversial positions on vaccines, abortion and pharmaceutical industry, testing republican unit

The choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. by President Donald Trump to lead the main US health agency should face an intense Senate exam this week, with parliamentarians from both parties questioning their opinions about vaccines, abortion and possible conflicts of interest.

Kennedy, 70, will attend the Senate Finance Committee at 10am (local time) on Wednesday. Although this committee is responsible for sending its appointment to the Senate Plenary, it is also scheduled to witness to another panel that supervises health issues on Thursday.

According to Reuters, so far, the Senate controlled by the Republicans has not rejected any of Trump’s nominees. However, the controversial choice of Pete Hegseth to Secretary of Defense was confirmed by a tight margin of 51 to 50 votes, with Vice President Jd Vance having to break off on Friday, despite concerns about the qualification of the candidate and Accusations of sexual harassment and alcohol abuse.

Kennedy’s appointment places the loyalty of Republican legislators to the president, as the former democrat defends unconventional positions that can alienate both conservative and liberal. The environmental lawyer is seen as a controversial choice on both sides of the corridor, mainly because he has disseminated misconceptions about the safety of vaccines in the past.

“I don’t remember a more dangerous American health nominee than Mr. Kennedy,” said Democratic minority, Chuck Schumer, in the Senate plenary one day before Kennedy’s first audience.

“Mr. Kennedy built his career not promoting public health, but actively fighting it. It is the face of modern anti -vaccin movement, responsible for spreading marginal and absolutely false beliefs about vaccines, ”said Schumer.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Work and Pension Committee, to which Kennedy will appear on Thursday, called the nominee “wrong” about vaccines. However, Cassidy said they had a “frank conversation” during Kennedy’s visit to the Capitol, to gain support. Cassidy is one of the few republicans considered undecided on the appointment.

Although much of the opposition to Kennedy is motivated by his position on vaccines, some Republicans also oppose their favorable comments to the right to abortion, as well as their perception of being against the pharmaceutical industry.

In his testimony written to the Finance Committee, Kennedy said he is not against vaccines or against industry and believes that “vaccines play a critical role in health.” He pointed out that his own children were vaccinated, according to documents seen by Reuters, but helped found the Children’s Anti -Vacin Group Health Defense.

Kennedy says she wants to work to eradicate chronic diseases, break bonds between US drug regulator and industry employees and advise water systems to remove fluoride. He also criticized the food industry for adding ingredients that, he said, made Americans less healthy.

To be confirmed, Kennedy needs the support of at least 50 senators, which would allow the Vance to break tidy again if necessary.