GOP senators seem to be embracing the potential for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, despite his controversial views on vaccines and pro-abortion record.
Kennedy was initially thought to have a difficult path to confirmation, but after meeting with some two dozen senators this week, many seemed ready to look past his political baggage and focus on areas of shared interest.
Kennedy’s confirmation is not a sure bet, but he has faced far less skepticism than some of Trump’s other divisive picks, particularly Pete Hegseth, his pick to lead the Pentagon, and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s (D-Hawaii), tapped to lead a key intelligence office.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said he had a “productive” conversation with Kennedy and has heard similar sentiments from his colleagues, though he acknowledged there may still be some points of “possible contention.”
“I think [Kennedy’s] made progress,” Tillis said. “I’ve heard generally positive comments about just the interaction, but most of the offices also say they have things to follow up with.”
Opposition to Kennedy centers mostly on his policy stances, many of which run counter to traditional GOP orthodoxy. The former Democrat turned Independent has spoken in favor of abortion. He also has a long history of questioning vaccines and has promoted the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism.
Tillis said he doesn’t agree with labeling Kennedy as anti-vaccine.
“I think that he does have concerns with some vaccines, but I’ve gone beyond the broad brush, characterization, based on my discussion,” he said.
Kennedy argues the rise of chronic diseases in America can be traced to ultra-processed foods, environmental toxins and chemical additives. He wants to ban fluoridated water and increase access to raw milk.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) said he felt Kennedy was personable, even though they have vastly different views on the fossil fuel industry and how it impacts public health.
Mullin said he thinks Kennedy is asking appropriate questions about the science and safety behind some vaccines.
“The more you talk to him, the more he explains it, the more you like him,” Mullin said.
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), a physician, is among the most enthusiastic of Kennedy’s backers. He immediately endorsed Kennedy after their meeting.
Later in the week, he launched a “Make America Healthy Again” caucus with Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).
“Right now, America does not have their health. You think about it, 60 percent of Americans have a chronic disease, 20 percent of our kids are on some type of medication. Let’s put air beneath RFK Jr.’s dream – and this is my dream, too,” Marshall said Friday on Fox News.
To date, Kennedy has mostly met with staunch conservatives, many who are both close allies of President-elect Trump and most likely to object to the nominee’s previous pro-abortion stance.
But after meeting with him, they have expressed no reservations.
When Kennedy launched his presidential campaign as a Democrat, he endorsed a ban on abortion after the first trimester but then quickly backtracked. He also suggested he opposed banning abortion before fetal viability, generally around 24 weeks into a pregnancy.
On his campaign website, Kennedy said he is “a firm supporter of the principles laid out 50 years ago in Roe v. Wade” and that “if the courts do not overturn Dobbs v. Jackson and restore abortion rights, he will support legislation to accomplish the same.”
Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), who has called himself the “most pro-life” senator, said he left his meeting with Kennedy feeling reassured.
“I don’t think he tried to convince me of his pro-life credentials. We all know he’s had multiple positions over the years in that area,” Lankford said. “What he assured me of is that President Trump … is pro-life. He had a pro-life HHS before, and those are the policies he’s going to have again. He made it very, very clear where President Trump stands on this and what he plans to be able to implement.”
Similarly, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said Kennedy committed to implementing all the anti-abortion policies from Trump’s first term.
Tuberville, who held up military promotions for months because he objected to the Pentagon’s abortion policy, went into his meeting with Kennedy wanting to ask about abortion. He endorsed Kennedy in a post on X soon after.
“Our meeting reaffirmed what I already knew: RFK Jr. is the right man to make sure our food is safe, bring transparency to vaccines and health care, and Make America Healthy Again,” Tuberville wrote.
Kennedy has yet to meet with potential swing vote Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) or Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), a polio survivor who recently broadly criticized efforts to revoke approval of the polio vaccine.
Without mentioning Kennedy by name, McConnell said that “anyone seeking the Senate’s consent to serve in the incoming administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts.”
If every Democrat opposes him, Kennedy can only afford to lose three GOP votes.
Other top Republicans, including Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the incoming chair of the Senate’s HELP health committee, and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) will not meet with RFK Jr. until January.
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