Former Vice President Mike Pence on Friday called on Republicans to oppose Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to be health secretary, saying the pick is an “abrupt departure” from the pro-life values the GOP has traditionally defended.
President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday announced his choice of Mr. Kennedy to head the Health and Human Services Department, rewarding the maverick politician for his support during the campaign.
Mr. Pence, who served with Mr. Trump in his first administration but has since split with his boss, said Mr. Kennedy is “pro-abortion,” adding that’s a problem for the head of a department that helps steer federal policy on abortion.
“For the majority of his career, RFK Jr. has defended abortion on demand during all nine months of pregnancy, supports overturning the Dobbs decision and has called for legislation to codify Roe v. Wade,” Mr. Pence said in a statement.
He urged Senate Republicans to hold out for a pro-life pick.
HHS is currently battling GOP-led states over their abortion restriction laws. The department says a federal emergency treatment law requires states to perform abortions in some cases to stabilize mothers’ health, even when the procedure would violate state law.
The department has also worked to ease access for illegal immigrant girls to obtain abortions while they are being held in immigration detention.
Before the Kennedy pick, Mr. Pence had approved of Mr. Trump’s other nominations, saying Tuesday that he was “very encouraged” by the names announced at that point.
From the left, meanwhile, critics called Mr. Kennedy unqualified.
Sen. Richard Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the chamber, said he “pushes quack science that will cause more disease and death.”
“This position has life and death responsibilities. America deserves nothing less than a serious person to fill it. Mr. Kennedy is not that person,” the Illinois senator said.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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