Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Senate confirmation hearing for U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services on Wednesday largely focused on his vaccine stance and conflicts of interest, while his environmental positions, critical for public health, were barely addressed.
Keerti Gopal reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Kennedy’s hearing mainly centered on vaccine hesitancy and financial conflicts rather than his environmental record.
- Despite his environmental law background, Kennedy offered minimal comments on climate change, sidestepping key policy questions. He only briefly mentioned the connection between environmental toxics and public health.
- Protests interrupted the hearing several times as activists opposed Kennedy’s nomination over his stance on vaccines and environmental issues.
Key quote:
“I believe climate change is existential. My job is to make Americans healthy again.”
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominee for secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Why this matters:
Kennedy’s minimal engagement with environmental health risks raises concerns about his approach to climate-related health crises. His views could impact public health initiatives addressing pollution and climate change.
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