Former Vice President Mike Pence sharply criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr., urging Senate Republicans to reject the President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
In a statement released Friday, Pence voiced strong opposition to the nomination of Kennedy, a long-time vaccine skeptic and conspiracy theorist, calling him “the most pro-abortion Republican nominee for HHS Secretary in modern history.” Pence highlighted Kennedy’s longstanding support for abortion rights, including his calls to codify Roe v. Wade and overturn the Supreme Court’s landmark Dobbs decision, which ended federal abortion protections.
“RFK Jr. has defended abortion on demand throughout all nine months of pregnancy,” Pence said. “He has also advocated for legislation that would enshrine Roe v. Wade into law, a position that is incompatible with the values of millions of pro-life Americans.”
While Pence had previously expressed optimism about Trump’s cabinet picks, his tone shifted dramatically with the Kennedy nomination. He emphasized that, if confirmed, Kennedy would be a direct challenge to the pro-life movement.
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“On behalf of tens of millions of pro-life Americans, I respectfully urge Senate Republicans to reject this nomination,” Pence continued. “Give the American people a leader who will respect the sanctity of life as secretary of Health and Human Services.”
The former VP’s comments mark a significant intervention in the nomination process. His call for rejection puts pressure on Senate Republicans to consider the broader implications of Kennedy’s views, especially as they relate to the HHS role and its influence over policies surrounding abortion and healthcare.
