Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) voiced strong disapproval of President-elect Trump’s choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer, to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), warning that it could undo decades of progress and potentially reverse the country’s advancements in public health.
Speaking on MSNBC’s The ReidOut, Ocasio-Cortez stated, “If a baby is born anywhere around the globe, we must safeguard them from diseases like polio and measles. Without those protections, we could be back in the dark ages of the 1700s and 1800s.”
She also highlighted the impact Kennedy’s leadership could have on rural communities, saying, “For Republicans who support Trump’s policies, they should be concerned. Community health centers, which are widely supported by both Republicans and Democrats, could be in jeopardy. People living in rural areas, far from hospitals but with access to these centers, could see them destroyed under Kennedy’s leadership.”
Ocasio-Cortez and Senate Democrats challenge Trump’s HHS pick, citing risks to national health standards
These remarks came shortly after Trump revealed Kennedy as his pick for HHS, an agency that manages 13 divisions with a budget nearing $2 billion. Trump lauded Kennedy in his announcement, stating, “He will return these agencies to their traditions of gold-standard research and transparency, tackle chronic diseases, and Make America Great and Healthy Again.”
Kennedy’s nomination, which requires Senate approval, may face stiff resistance, especially from some Democratic lawmakers and public health experts who have criticized Kennedy for his outspoken opposition to vaccines. Trump has, however, suggested that he could bypass the Senate confirmation process using recess appointments if necessary.
Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who chairs the Appropriations Committee, condemned Kennedy’s potential confirmation, calling it “a catastrophe for the health of millions of families.” She urged Republican senators to join her in strongly opposing his nomination.
On the other hand, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) offered his support for Kennedy, noting that he had advocated for healthier food options and increased transparency in public health initiatives. “I look forward to examining his broader policy positions to see how they align with a conservative, pro-American agenda,” Cassidy remarked.
Ocasio-Cortez reiterated her worries, particularly regarding the risk to community health centers, which she described as “devastating” for rural and underserved communities that rely on these facilities for essential health services.
Kennedy, who initially ran for president as a Democrat before switching to an independent, suspended his campaign in August and later endorsed Trump. If confirmed to lead HHS, he has promised to serve as an “honest public servant.”
Kennedy concluded, “Together, we will clean up corruption, put an end to the revolving door between industry and government, and return our health agencies to a foundation of gold-standard, evidence-based science.”
