Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the appointee of President-elect Donald Trump for the role of leading the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is scheduled to engage in discussions with numerous Republican senators from pivotal Senate committees during this week.
According to a spokesperson for Kennedy, he is set to confer with 25 senators, including the incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune, as reported by POLITICO on Sunday evening.
Expressing enthusiasm for the upcoming meetings, the spokesperson stated, “Mr. Kennedy is well-prepared to engage with over two dozen Senators this week. He is eager to discuss President Trump’s initiative to enhance America’s health,”
Earlier this week, POLITICO disclosed Kennedy’s arranged meetings with members of the Senate Finance and HELP committees.
The significance lies in Trump’s pledge to grant Kennedy the freedom to enact substantial changes in health and food policies within his administration following Kennedy’s withdrawal from the presidential race to endorse the current president-elect. This move has stirred concern among numerous public health specialists. While Republicans possess an advantage in the Senate during the confirmation process, a mere four dissenters could derail Kennedy’s nomination if Democrats unite against him.
Anticipated queries from Senate Republicans revolve around Kennedy’s stance on vaccines. Kennedy’s discredited viewpoints questioning the safety of certain vaccines have unsettled public health experts, who fear his rhetoric could result in fatalities from preventable diseases.
Contrary to the fervor shown for some of Trump’s other cabinet selections, certain Senate Republicans have displayed less enthusiasm for Kennedy’s nomination, with several key GOP members remaining noncommittal.
Kennedy’s confirmation necessitates approval from the Senate Finance Committee. Additionally, he is likely to undergo a courtesy confirmation hearing with the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee without a formal vote.
The majority of the senators on Kennedy’s meeting agenda for this week are expected to exhibit receptivity, with some exceptions. More meetings are anticipated in the following year. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) disclosed to POLITICO his intention to delay meeting with Kennedy until January.
Notably, several influential senators are not slated to meet with Kennedy next week, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn (R-Texas), who have acknowledged the importance of vaccination programs.
Kennedy is scheduled to confer with Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who has expressed reservations about Kennedy’s anti-vaccine positions and their potential implications on childhood vaccination.
Moreover, discussions are planned with Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who introduced legislation in 2018 endorsing water fluoridation. Kennedy has indicated a desire to cease public water fluoridation.
Meetings are also arranged with Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), whose state party censured him in 2023 for allegedly deviating from conservative views on specific policy matters.
Below is the comprehensive list of Republican senators scheduled to meet with Kennedy, as provided by a spokesperson:
Sen. Bill Hagerty (Tenn.)
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (Miss.)
Sen. James Lankford (Okla.)
Sen. John Barrasso (Wyo.)
Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune
Sen. Josh Hawley (Mo.)
Sen. Katie Britt (Ala.)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (Okla.)
Sen. Mike Crapo (Idaho)
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.)
Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.)
Sen. Rick Scott (Fla.)
Sen. Roger Marshall (Kan.)
Sen. Ron Johnson (Wis.)
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (W.V.)
Sen. Steve Daines (Mont.)
Sen. Ted Budd (N.C.)
Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas)
Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.)
Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.)
Sen. Tom Cotton (Ark.)
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (Ala.)
Sen. Dan Sullivan (Alaska)
