Screenshot of Nicole Shanahan and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from RFK Jr.’s YouTube channel on March 26, 2024.
While some Republicans are raising concerns about Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as head of the Department of Health & Human Services, Sarasota area GOP U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is all in on the selection.
“Great visiting with @RobertKennedyJr and @drmarkhyman this week!” Buchanan wrote on X Friday, underneath a photo showing him with Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mark Hyman, a physician who specializes in longevity. “We discussed the chronic disease epidemic and the importance of preventive medicine. I look forward to working with Bobby to Make America Healthy Again as Chairman of the Health Subcommittee on @WaysandMeansGOP.”
Buchanan was re-elected to a 10th term representing parts of Sarasota, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties last week. As chair of the Health Subcommittee, he conducted a hearing last month on the role preventive medicine and healthy living play in combating chronic diseases and the obesity epidemic in the U.S.
“With federal healthcare spending at more than $4 trillion per year and approximately 42 percent of adults facing obesity, it is clear that much more needs to be done to address the healthcare crisis,” Buchanan said in a statement. “I was thrilled to chair this important hearing on addressing the root causes of chronic disease and ways that Congress can work together to save taxpayers money while ensuring people have the tools to necessary to live longer, healthier and happier lives.”
By 2050, almost 260 million people in the U.S. are predicted to be overweight or obese, according to a study published this week.
Kennedy’s status as a leading critic regarding the safety of vaccines is among the many reasons his nomination is controversial. He said before the election that Trump will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water systems, calling it “industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease.” He’s suggested that chemicals in water make children gay or transgender.
Meanwhile, former Republican Vice President Mike Pence said on Friday that he opposes Kennedy’s nomination because of his record supporting abortion rights.
Rick Scott’s on board
Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis received pushback Thursday when he said he was “excited” about Kennedy’s nomination. He sent out a second message in which he emphasized that science “must remain THE cornerstone of our nation’s health policy,” and added that the country should also be concerned “about the impact of pesticides on public health, ag policy on nutrition, and the lack of access to prescription drugs due to drug high prices. This is why I am for a major shake-up in institutions like the FDA that have been barriers to lowering drug costs and promoting healthy food choices.”
With Republicans slated to take back control of the U.S. Senate in January, if every GOP member supports his nomination, Kennedy will become the next HHS Secretary. And he has at least one vote from the Florida delegation.
‘Congratulations to our next HHS Secretary @RobertKennedyJr! I look forward to working with you in this new role!” U.S. Sen. Rick Scott said on X on Friday (Kennedy had supported Scott’s candidacy for Senate majority leader).
Florida’s other U.S. senator, Marco Rubio, has not yet publicly commented on Kennedy’s nomination. Rubio himself is now a nominee for secretary of state).