Former Vice President Mike Pence is working to influence the Trump administration’s decisions, particularly concerning President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Pence’s group, Advancing American Freedom (AAF), is asking senators to reject Kennedy’s appointment due to his views on abortion.
According to a report by The Daily Wire from January 14, AAF opposes Kennedy because his stance on abortion differs from the pro-life position that was a key part of Trump’s first term. The organization points to past comments by Kennedy, where he expressed support for abortion even at full term. In a letter, AAF asks Kennedy to clarify when he believes life should be protected and whether there are any circumstances in which the unborn should not be protected.
Kennedy, in meetings with Republican senators including Josh Hawley, assured them that while he personally may not agree with every aspect of the president’s policies, he would implement the administration’s stance on abortion. He told Hawley that all his deputies at the Department of Health and Human Services would be pro-life, and he would take steps to block federal funds to organizations that support abortion, cut tax dollars for abortion domestically, and reinstate a ban on Title X funding for pro-abortion groups.
Senator Markwayne Mullin, after speaking with Kennedy, said that Kennedy would follow Trump’s policies on abortion, which eased his concerns about the nomination. Mullin said that if Kennedy is aligned with Trump on this issue, he would fully support his appointment.
Despite this, AAF still wants Kennedy to provide more clarity on his past statements, such as his 2024 remark that abortion should be legal up to a certain number of weeks and restricted afterward. The organization is focused on ensuring that Kennedy’s views align with the pro-life movement.
Kennedy’s confirmation as Secretary of HHS is crucial, with Politico reporting that he can only afford to lose three Republican votes if all Democrats oppose him. While abortion is a significant issue, Kennedy’s potential to address other important health concerns, such as the growing number of sick and overweight Americans, is also an important factor. However, with Pence’s AAF opposing him, Kennedy will need to build trust with Republican senators to secure his position.
