Senator Alex Padilla Unleashes Strong Critique of RFK Jr.’s Health and Human Services Nomination – Watch Now!

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) recently spoke on the Senate floor against the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Padilla expressed serious concerns about the potential impact on public health if Kennedy is confirmed.

Padilla highlighted Kennedy’s lack of qualifications and his troubling history of spreading misleading health information:

• “I oppose this nomination due to his misinformed beliefs and lack of experience. He is fundamentally unfit and unprepared, and I believe Americans will suffer if he is confirmed.”

Kennedy has been vocal in promoting dangerous conspiracy theories. He has repeatedly claimed that “there’s no vaccine that is safe and effective,” and has falsely asserted that vaccines cause autism. He also pushed misleading narratives about COVID-19, suggesting it targets particular racial and ethnic groups. Additionally, he has founded an anti-vaccine organization and written multiple books on public health conspiracies, profiting from lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers.

• “In the face of proven science, Mr. Kennedy has chosen to profit from fear. Many parents are being misled into making harmful choices for their children.”

Padilla, who co-founded the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, also raised issues regarding mental health care and Medicaid under Kennedy’s leadership. He criticized Kennedy’s misunderstanding of essential Medicaid information during his confirmation hearings:

• “We need a strong advocate for Medicaid at HHS. Mr. Kennedy displayed a lack of basic knowledge about Medicaid, including its funding and benefits.”

Padilla urged the Senate to consider the implications of confirming someone with insufficient knowledge in a critical role, particularly as discussions about cutting Medicaid funding arise:

• “Republicans are talking about reducing Medicaid to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. We need someone who will fight to protect the health of millions of Americans, and unfortunately, Mr. Kennedy has shown he is not that person.”

For those interested in watching Senator Padilla’s full remarks, you can find the video here.

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