A left-leaning health care organization has launched a “Stop RFK War Room” in an attempt to thwart Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s nomination as secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Protect Our Care — a tax-exempt 501c4 described by Influence Watch as a vehicle to lobby for the preservation of Obamacare — led an organizing call Monday strategizing how to prevent the U.S. Senate from confirming Kennedy, Politico reported. The call included hundreds of representatives from several dozen Democratic-aligned healthcare advocacy groups and involved discussion of which Republicans to try and persuade to oppose Kennedy. Those discussed included Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
“We’re nowhere near conceding he’s going to be the next HHS secretary,” Brad Woodhouse, executive director of Protect Our Care, said during the call attended by Politico.
RFK Jr. calls out big Pharma, the FDA, and the CDC: pic.twitter.com/oot4TUxnwz
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) August 23, 2024
Woodhouse conceded Kennedy’s views on banning some food additives. Woodhouse, however, slammed Kennedy’s desire to cut funding for government agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, saying, “just because Hannibal Lecter has a couple good ideas on something, doesn’t mean I want to invite Hannibal Lecter to dinner.”
In addition to federal lobbying efforts, Protect Our Care has launched grassroots efforts against Kennedy in a variety of states, including Alaska, Idaho, Maine and West Virginia, with the goal of targeting senators at the state and local levels, according to Politico.
President-elect Donald Trump announced Kennedy’s nomination to lead HHS in a tweet last Thursday.
“I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health,” Trump wrote.
Featured Image Credit: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America
