Media Contact: John Henry, jhenry@childrensdefense.org, CDF Media Relations Manager, 708-646-7679
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The national youth advocacy organization Children’s Defense Fund urges the United States Senate to reject Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to become the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
On Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee voted to advance Kennedy Jr. to a vote before the full Senate chamber for confirmation. If the majority of the full Senate votes in favor of Kennedy Jr., he will be confirmed as the next leader of the department.
We have released the following statement:
“Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) believes our young people have the right to systems that promote health and well-being, grounded in research and applied science. For this reason, CDF is deeply disappointed that the Senate Finance Committee has voted to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to a full Senate vote.
“Over the last several decades, Kennedy Jr. has repeatedly rejected proven and accepted science, particularly regarding vaccines, instead promoting policies based on fringe science, conspiracy theories, and falsehoods. Despite claiming he would accept sound science if “shown the data,” Kennedy Jr. failed to do so during his Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee confirmation hearing. Instead, he dismissed overwhelming evidence on the efficacy of childhood vaccines and relied on a flawed study that does not meet the rigorous standards of scientific and medical fact.
“Kennedy Jr.’s failure to uphold scientific truth signals that, as HHS Secretary, he would be more likely to put children at risk than defend their health and well-being. His nomination stands in direct opposition to the core values of evidence-based policy, public trust, and responsible leadership that Americans expect from those in positions of power.
“Children’s Defense Fund urges the full Senate to reject this nomination and uphold its responsibility to protect the health and safety of all Americans.”