Former Vice President Mike Pence's conservative advocacy group, Advancing American Freedom (AAF), is urging senators to reject Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, citing his inconsistent abortion record, Politico reported.
The AAF emphasized Kennedy's previous support for abortion access, including late-term procedures, as a key reason for their opposition.
The Wednesday letter from AAF criticized Kennedy for being "pro-abortion" and stated his views were "completely out of step with the strong, pro-life record of the first Trump Administration."
"While RFK Jr. has made certain overtures to pro-life leaders that he would be mindful of their concerns at HHS," the letter said, "there is little reason for confidence at this time."
HHS plays a critical role in shaping abortion policy across the United States.
The department oversees funding for organizations such as Planned Parenthood and regulates access to medications like mifepristone, an abortion drug. If confirmed, Kennedy would be responsible for implementing or rolling back many of the Trump administration's anti-abortion policies.
Kennedy's record on abortion has been marked by contradictions, which may complicate his confirmation process. During his presidential campaign, he initially indicated support for banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. However, he later reversed his position, stating he supported "a woman's right to choose" and backing legislation to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling overturned during Trump's presidency.
In May, Kennedy made headlines with his support for abortion access "even if it's full-term," a position he later clarified on social media. "I support the emerging consensus that abortion should be unrestricted up until a certain point," he wrote in a post on X.
AAF's letter aligns with Pence's longstanding opposition to abortion.
The former vice president has publicly criticized Kennedy, calling him "the most pro-abortion Republican appointed secretary of HHS in modern history" and warning that his confirmation would threaten pro-life advancements made under the Trump administration.
Despite this opposition, Kennedy has sought to reassure anti-abortion lawmakers.
He met with Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., in December, reportedly pledging to support the reinstatement of Trump-era policies like the Mexico City policy, which prohibits federal funding for NGOs involved in abortion services or advocacy. Hawley later posted about the meeting on X, hinting at Kennedy's willingness to enforce these policies.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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