In a Friday op-ed for the Boston Globe, Jake Auchincloss, a Democratic representative from Massachusetts, urged the Senate to block Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from being appointed as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Auchincloss criticized Kennedy, calling him not only unqualified but also a threat to public health, particularly to children. “Donald Trump is setting Kennedy up to ‘go wild’ in this role. The Senate must reject him,” said Auchincloss, who now holds the seat once occupied by Joe Kennedy III, the great-nephew of former President John F. Kennedy.
A fierce critique from Auchincloss casts doubt on Kennedy’s qualifications for the Secretary of Health position
The Massachusetts lawmaker emphasized the importance of evaluating Kennedy’s qualifications, not his political connections, particularly in light of his past controversial statements about vaccines.
“Kennedy has claimed that ‘no vaccine is safe and effective,’ even though the evidence clearly shows that vaccines have saved the lives of millions of children over the last 50 years,” Auchincloss argued. He cited diseases like measles, smallpox, and polio that once posed grave risks to American children but have been virtually eradicated through vaccination.
Kennedy, currently on leave from his role as Chairman of the Board of the Children’s Health Defense, an organization known for promoting anti-vaccine rhetoric, has been widely criticized. His 2016 documentary linking vaccines to autism was condemned for spreading misinformation.
Auchincloss warned that if Kennedy were appointed, he would use the power of his position to promote unscientific views and misinformation. “If given control over agencies like the NIH, FDA, and CDC, Kennedy would blend his personal anti-science agenda with government institutions, spreading quackery,” he asserted.
Kennedy’s stance extends beyond vaccines; he has also spoken out against fluoride, cancer and Alzheimer’s treatments, and high-speed internet, claiming they all pose health risks.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a representative from New York, also condemned Kennedy’s nomination, suggesting that his leadership would set the nation back centuries. Others have raised concerns about his views on LGBTQ+ healthcare and abortion, which have sparked further debate, particularly among Republicans who have shown interest in his stance on abortion rights.
Analysts suggest that while it may be difficult for Kennedy to completely remove vaccines from the market, he could still weaken vaccine-related policies, including funding and legal protections.
“America will descend into chaos unless Senate Republicans act decisively,” Auchincloss concluded. “They must reject Trump’s nomination of Kennedy and protect public health.”
