NEW: RFK Jr. Gets Encouraging Confirmation Update
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the longtime environmental activist from one of America’s most storied political families, is currently gearing up for what’s expected to be a contentious confirmation battle on Capitol Hill. As President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Kennedy’s selection set off controversy and curiosity across the political spectrum.
However, on Tuesday, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) signaled in an interview with CNN that she may be open to supporting Kennedy’s confirmation, citing areas of potential alignment with his views.
“I’m going to look at his full record,” Senator Gillibrand said when asked if she would consider voting to confirm Kennedy. “Obviously, again, as a parent, we want to make sure our children are safe. We want to make sure parents have the right to know that when kids go to school, they are going to be safe and have access to vaccines and access to health care. So that’s very important to me.”
The New York senator pointed to Kennedy’s record on food safety as a particular area of interest, referencing her role on the Senate Agriculture Committee. “RFK Jr. has also spoken about food safety issues, which I care a lot about,” Gillibrand noted. “We do very little food testing—a very small percentage of food that comes into this country is tested. And so I appreciate some of his views there.”
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Gillibrand also highlighted Kennedy’s work on environmental protections during his tenure leading Riverkeeper, a prominent New York-based organization that fought to clean up the Hudson River and address toxins affecting local communities.
“He used to run an organization in New York called Riverkeeper, a preeminent environmental organization trying to clean up the Hudson River and trying to protect people who live along the Hudson from toxins in the environment,” she said. “I think there’s a great deal of issues where we might find common ground with Mr. Kennedy, and I look forward to exploring those before I decide how I’m going to vote.”
VALHALLA, NY, USA – MAY 10, 2023: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand delivers remarks about the debt limit on May 10, 2023 at SUNY Westchester Community College in Valhalla, New York, United States.
Kennedy’s nomination has already drawn considerable attention given his longstanding advocacy on environmental causes and his stance on vaccines. Trump, who has voiced skepticism about certain public health mandates in the past, has defended Kennedy as someone who brings a unique perspective to a critical federal agency.
Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) revealed that in his discussion with Kennedy, Kennedy asserted, “I 100% support the polio vaccination,” according to The Associated Press. “The more you talk to him, the more he explains it, the more you like him,” Mullin explained.
“You’re not going to lose the polio vaccine,” Trump said during a news conference on Monday. “That’s not going to happen.”
In the narrowly split Senate, Kennedy’s confirmation hinges on solid Republican support, as he could only withstand losing three GOP votes if no Democrats break ranks to support him. Republicans have rallied around Kennedy’s nomination to manage the country’s public health systems, applauding his promise to introduce much-needed reforms amid increasing rates of chronic illnesses. However, it remains uncertain whether any Democrats will vote in favor of Kennedy.