Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Kennedy Jr. issued a stern warning after a report highlighted how one of Kennedy's associates sought to overturn approval of the polio vaccine.
“Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven treatments are not just ignorant — they are dangerous,” McConnell, a polio survivor, said in a statement.
“Anyone seeking Senate confirmation to serve in the next administration would do well to avoid even the appearance of being associated with such efforts,” he added, without mentioning by name Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic who was chosen by President-elect Trump to lead the department. Health and Human Services.
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., takes a question from a reporter during a news conference following the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on November 19, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnick/Getty Images)
McConnell's statement comes after A New York Times report Friday highlighted how Kennedy's personal attorney, Aaron Seery, represented clients in cases that sought to overturn approval of a version of the polio vaccine and others.
“Like millions of families before them, my parents knew the pain and fear of watching their child suffer a life-changing polio diagnosis. From the time I was two years old, a normal life without paralysis was only possible for me because of the miraculous combination of modern medicine and a mother’s love but For the millions who came after me, the true miracle was the saving power of… Polio vaccineMcConnell said.
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Kennedy Jr. speaks to reporters at the Nassau County Superior Court in Mineola, New York on August 21, 2024. (Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
“For decades, I have been proud to work with dedicated advocates – from Rotary International to the Gates Foundation – and to use my platform in public life to champion the pursuit of cures for generations to come. I have never backed down from confronting the deceptive misinformation that threatens the world.” Medical advances save lives, and I wouldn't do that today.
The Republican Party leader was joined by his Democratic counterpart, the Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumerwho demanded RFK Jr. By clarifying his position on the polio vaccine.
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Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, speaks after a political luncheon on Capitol Hill, September 24, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Maryam Zohaib)
“This would undoubtedly make America sick again,” Schumer said, sharing the Times' report on X. “It is outrageous and dangerous for people in the Trump transition to try to throw away the polio vaccine that has virtually eradicated polio in America and saved millions.” RFK Jr. must clarify his position on this matter.”
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Trump's transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
