Two conservative groups that oppose abortion rights announced Friday that they support the election of President-elect Donald Trump robert f kennedy jr Succeeding former Vice President to head the Department of Health and Human Services mike pence Criticized the choice over abortion concerns.
If the post is confirmed, Kennedy would have broad authority At several agencies that can directly impact abortion access nationwide, including the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Pence criticized in a post on Friday Kennedy's selection Teeing up as “the most pro-abortion Republican appointed Secretary of HHS in modern history.”
“On behalf of millions of pro-life Americans, I respectfully urge Senate Republicans to reject this nomination and give the American people a leader who will respect the sanctity of life,” Pence said in a statement. statement Published by the group Advancing American Freedom, the option was called “deeply concerning to millions of pro-life Americans.”
Some Trump aides have rejected Pence's objection, arguing that there is no reason to believe Kennedy would back down. platform Republicans suffered massive defeats in the summer matter postponed To the states.
Terry Schilling, head of the American Principles Project, told CBS News, “RFK Jr. is going to act at the will of the president. And the president has been very clear that his policy is that there is no federal role in abortion.”
Shilling's Political Action Committee Bills himself as “The only national pro-family organization” directly engaging in elections on a range of issues, including opposition to abortion and gender-affirming care. He said he had spent $18 million on campaigns this year and also planned to work in support of Kennedy's nomination.
He cited Kennedy as pointing to other areas where Kennedy's “Make America Healthy Again” agenda could find common ground with conservatives. Questioning previous stance Puberty blockers and other types of hormone therapy for transgender minors.
Schilling said, “Trump picked him because of his Make America Healthy Again agenda. And it's very clear that we have a lot of problems in our country, and I think RFK Jr. is the best person to get to the bottom of it.” “
Another prominent activist group, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America also expressed concern over Kennedy's choice.
“There's no doubt that we need a pro-life HHS secretary, and, of course, we have concerns about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,” the group's president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, said in a statement.
But regardless of who is HHS secretary, Dannenfelser also said he believes the “foundational policies” set by Trump's first term will return.
A person close to the president-elect's transition said he did not think the abortion issue would pose any real obstacles to Kennedy's confirmation, and said he was not surprised that Pence was arguing against Kennedy.
Trump expressed support for Kennedy “Make America Healthy Again” Platform During the campaign, and offered him an “emphasis on health” in the new administration.
Trump said, “Do whatever you want. You just go ahead. Work on pesticides, work on women's health. He's very interested in women's health and you know he's really incredible. It's a passion.” Is.” Said Kennedy's on November 4.
In a statement, the group Americans United for Life told CBS News they are “looking forward to working with RFK Jr. to correct the mistakes of the Biden/Harris administration.”
But he also seemed to accept that their views did not completely match.
“Like many newcomers to the conservative pro-life movement, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. needs further education on the reality of abortion and its harmful effects,” the group's CEO John Mize told CBS News in a statement.
Mises pointed to Kennedy's comments at the Iowa State Fair in August, in which he suggested he would support a federal ban on abortion. Kennedy's campaign later withdrew – one of many changes Kennedy made his changing position on abortion during his long presidential bid.
First leave outKennedy posted in june That he “supported the emerging consensus that abortion should be unrestricted up to a certain point,” while also calling for policies that “could reduce abortion in America more by choice than by force.”
There are several ways Kennedy could move to strengthen his support among anti-abortion activists, Mises said.
As “a big signal to the movement”, Mize suggested, Kennedy could support reinstating the FDA's restrictions that require the drug to be prescribed individually. abortion pill Mifepristone. more than this 60% abortion The use of pills was included in the US in 2023, and many prescriptions are now obtained via telehealth.