Robert F Kennedy Jr, the environmental lawyer turned anti-vaccine activist, faces a watershed second this week because the Senate affirmation hearings start on his nomination because the US’s high well being official, establishing what may very well be probably the most contentious cupboard battle of Donald Trump’s second administration.
The 71-year-old Kennedy, whose nomination has sparked fierce resistance from the scientific institution, would take management of a sprawling $1.8tn healthcare equipment at a time when public belief in medical establishments stays deeply fractured alongside partisan strains.
As well being and human companies secretary, Kennedy would oversee all the things from vaccine coverage to meals security, wielding huge affect over public well being choices affecting hundreds of thousands of People. His controversial views – together with debunked claims about vaccines and autism, fluoride security and uncooked milk laws – have put him at odds with mainstream medical consensus.
Kennedy advised NPR in December that as a member of the administration, he’s “not going to take vaccines away from anyone”, however he additionally added he wished individuals to make “knowledgeable decisions”.
In a letter to senators obtained by the Washington Put up, Kennedy’s cousin Caroline branded him a “predator”, claiming he privately vaccinated his personal youngsters whereas publicly stoking vaccine hesitancy amongst nervous mother and father. The accusation, from a former ambassador to Australia and Japan, lands as greater than 15,000 medical professionals and 75 Nobel laureates have equally mobilized in opposition to his affirmation.
Kennedy’s pledge to “make America wholesome once more” by means of stricter regulation of meals components has discovered a lot of allies, at the same time as Republican senators demand readability on his stance towards abortion rights and vaccine coverage. Alaska senator Lisa Murkowski voiced her concern about his vaccine skepticism, whereas Iowa senator Joni Ernst stated she’s urgent for public commitments on reproductive rights.
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For Republican Senate well being committee chair Invoice Cassidy – a doctor who has carried out vaccine trials – the hearings current an important check, and supply some hope to the opposition. As a physician main the questioning of a nominee who has challenged established medical science, all eyes can be on Cassidy to get in the course of the general public well being coverage debate.
The affirmation battle begins in opposition to a backdrop of shifting public attitudes: polling from Gallup over the summer season reveals almost a 3rd of Republicans now view vaccines as extra harmful than the ailments they stop, a five-fold improve since 2001.
Regardless of the opposition, Kennedy will probably survive the hearings that start on Wednesday and proceed on Thursday. The ultimate vote, scheduled for subsequent week, will decide whether or not one of many US’s most outstanding vaccine skeptics can be handed the reins of its public well being system.
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