RFK Jr. meets with extra GOP senators amid issues about his polio vaccine views

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. returned to Capitol Hill Tuesday to attempt to make his case to Republican senators that he can lead the Division of Well being and Human Companies.

Additionally assembly with senators on Tuesday was Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump’s choose for director of nationwide intelligence. She deliberate to fulfill with two Democratic senators on the Intelligence Committee and 5 Republicans.

Kennedy, who has come below fireplace for his opposition to vaccines and push to regulate farm-grown meals, didn’t instantly talk about the subjects he deliberate to convey up in his conferences, however a number of senators did share what their priorities are for the potential head of the HHS.

And a few indicated they had been able to push again on Kennedy’s stances.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., advised reporters outdoors a Senate Judiciary Committee listening to that he didn’t agree with Kennedy on his agriculture positions and prevented commenting on his stance on abortion, however expressed optimism that Kennedy would “assist President Trump’s insurance policies” on all fronts.

“So my working assumption is he’ll keep in his lane and do HHS coverage,” Hawley mentioned, including that he helps the polio vaccine.

Kennedy’s opinion on the polio vaccine has come below scrutiny after studies that his private lawyer Aaron Siri lobbied the Meals and Drug Administration to revoke its approval of the vaccine. Sources advised ABC Information that Siri has been serving to interview candidates for prime well being jobs within the incoming Trump administration. Siri, a associate on the legislation agency Siri & Glimstad, has additionally filed petitions searching for to pause the distribution of different vaccines, together with Hepatitis B, and to revoke the emergency-use authorization of COVID-19 vaccines.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., was robust in his criticism of Siri.

Sen. Kennedy, who mentioned he was “wanting ahead to sitting down” with RFK Jr. with an “open thoughts,” on Tuesday steered to reporters outdoors a Senate Judiciary Committee listening to that the potential HHS secretary ought to fireplace his lawyer.

“I’ve bought a totally open thoughts, however, however that sort of nonsense is just not useful,” Kennedy mentioned of the polio misinformation.

“I hope to have the ability to get to a place the place I can assist him enthusiastically. I am wanting ahead to his affirmation hearings. We take these significantly,” the senator added.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., nevertheless, advised reporters that Kennedy is a “breath of recent air” who has his assist.

Tuberville, who has no medical background, disregarded issues about Kennedy’s views on vaccines and claimed, with none proof or particulars, that they weren’t “100% confirmed.”

“He needs the dad and mom to know the nice, the dangerous, and the ugly as a substitute of simply forcing dad and mom to offer vaccines to their children,” the senator mentioned.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., mentioned he’d be assembly with Kennedy this week and regarded ahead to having discussions with him about vaccines and the agriculture trade.

Abortion, Tillis mentioned, was a “reliable query” he was going to ask Kennedy about.

“I’m constantly and unapologetically pro-life since I used to be a member of the state legislature,” Tillis mentioned.

One Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, advised reporters. he has not had any conferences with Trump’s potential nominees but however that they need to be vetted on abortion and vaccines, subjects he referred to as “life and loss of life points.” Durbin didn’t particularly point out Kennedy in his remarks.

“I believe, in all equity, we must always take the measure of those nominees based mostly on investigation, thorough FBI investigation, and what they must say on the document below oath, after which make remaining judgment,” he mentioned.

Gabbard on Tuesday mentioned she had a “nice” assembly with Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania.

“This has been a fantastic alternative to fulfill with each Democrat and Republican senators and deal with any questions or issues that they’ve and speak concerning the function,” she mentioned.

Requested if she felt assured she had the votes to be confirmed, Gabbard mentioned solely that she “appears to be like ahead to assembly with senators as we proceed via this course of.”

Fetterman has been main the cost amongst Democrats assembly with Trump’s nominees. In a submit on X on Tuesday, he confirmed that he has met with Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s choice for United Nations ambassador, and Pete Hegseth, his secretary of protection choose.

“I consider that it is acceptable and the duty of a U.S. Senator to have a dialog with President-Elect Trump’s nominees,” Fetterman posted on on X. “My votes will come from an open-mind and an knowledgeable opinion after having a dialog with them. That is not controversial, it is my job.”

Gabbard was additionally anticipated to fulfill with Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and Republican senators Susan Collins, Dan Sullivan, Chuck Grassley, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul.

-ABC Information’ Allison Pecorin and Beatrice Peterson contributed to this report.