The report from Protect Our Care and its Stop RFK War Room showcases the Trump Cabinet pick’s past statements and actions, ranging from linking vaccines in general to autism to attacks against disease-specific vaccines like measles, COVID-19, polio and HPV.
The report, which will be delivered to congressional offices Thursday and was shared first with The Hill, comes as Kennedy seeks to rebrand himself as an advocate for transparency about vaccines, rather than a vaccine skeptic who openly questions their safety.
Kennedy, President-elect Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has been meeting with dozens of senators in both parties in recent weeks as he seeks to secure support for his nomination.
Many Republicans have enthusiastically endorsed Kennedy and even launched their own “MAHA,” or Make America Healthy Again, caucus. But others haven’t been as effusive in their comments after meeting with him.
The report from Protect Our Care is part of the group’s larger campaign ahead of Kennedy’s confirmation hearings. It includes advertising and events in the home states of key GOP senators, contacting their offices, lobbying, as well as D.C.-focused events and ads.
Protect Our Care has been a leading voice among Democratic circles to fight against GOP-led cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.
“RFK Jr. can’t hide from his record of spreading baseless lies and conspiracy theories about vaccines – it speaks for itself,” Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse said in a statement. “RFK Jr. has more than earned his reputation as an anti-vaccine extremist, and Americans will lose their lives if he is confirmed as HHS Secretary.”
The Hill has reached out to Kennedy’s team for comment.
Kennedy’s confirmation hearings in front of the Senate Finance Committee as well as the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee have not yet been scheduled, but are expected in the coming weeks.
