Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was on Capitol Hill this week trying to support his bid to be the next leader of the Department of Health and Human Services.
According to one senator he spoke with, Kennedy is aligning with President Donald Trump’s stance on abortion. and signaled he would exercise restraint when it comes to regulating the agriculture industry.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said after his meeting with Kennedy that his views on abortion were “Whatever Trump decides” and Kennedy will “support him 100%,” Trump said repeatedly. that he wants states to Decide this for yourself. and opposes a national abortion ban. He has also expressed support for certain exceptions to abortion restrictions, such as when the mother’s life is in danger.
Tuberville also said he has talked with Kennedy about not going too “overboard” when it comes to regulating farmers. The senator told reporters that Kennedy was “very prepared” to protect their livelihoods and “understands that our farmers are struggling. And we want to make sure we have farmers who can make a living.”
RFK JR prepares to confront abortion Vaccine review in sit-down with senators on Capitol Hill
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s new nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Meeting with Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) (left) in the Senate Office Building on December 1, 17, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Kennedy’s nomination drew skepticism from both pro-life groups and those in the agricultural sector. Pro-life groups have expressed concern about Kennedy’s past statements praising his liberal stance on reproductive rights. Meanwhile, people in agriculture have expressed concern about Kennedy’s crusade against processed food and pesticides. Fears from those in agriculture were bolstered after Trump said he wanted Kennedy “Take care of your health like crazy and shake things up a lot.”
However, according to Tuberville, Kennedy understood the need to strike a balance in regulating the food industry. And he insists his views on abortion have evolved in the same direction as Trump’s.
“We talked about abortion. And the important thing about abortion is that he’s telling everyone, ‘Listen to what President Trump (supported), I’m going to give him back 100%,’” Tuberville told reporters after the meeting with Kennedy.
Tuberville highlighted how Trump has expressed support for three key exceptions to abortion restrictions. This includes cases where the mother’s life is in danger. or when rape or incest is the cause of a woman’s pregnancy.
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has left, supporting former President Donald Trump, sparking a strong reaction from the mainstream media. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
“I just asked him. ‘Have you supported abortion in the past?’ and he replied, Basically, he and President Trump We sat down and talked about it. And they both agreed, ‘Hey, Ro-Wade’s gone. He’s gone to America. Let the people vote,’” Tuberville said.
Tuberville added that he also agrees with Trump’s stance on abortion. Telling reporters that while he was a lifesaver, he was “glad that American citizens have the opportunity to vote in their state,” Kennedy felt the same way.
Dr. MARC SIEGEL says RFK JR’s policy positions will ‘Leads to a lot of rejections’
While recounting his conversation with Kennedy to reporters, Tuberville also recalled that the two discussed how Kennedy would approach the agriculture industry. It is based on his strong belief that America’s food system is deeply flawed. Republicans from states where agriculture is a major industry have expressed concern about Kennedy limiting modern farming techniques. Meanwhile Michigan soybean and corn farmers called Kennedy’s nomination “dangerous” to the agriculture industry.
An aerial view shows workers from Pinicon Farm harvesting corn on Oct. 1, Sept. 31, 2023, near McIntyre, Iowa. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Tuberville echoed the concerns of his fellow GOP lawmakers after the meeting with Kennedy, telling reporters that while his constituents were “very concerned” about food safety, They don’t want regulations to be so strict that farmers will lose their jobs.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I can understand that,” Tuberville said of his constituents’ concerns. “And he was very involved. He understands that our farmers are facing problems. And we want to make sure that we have farmers who can make a living. And we don’t want to lose our family farm.”
Fox News Digital reached out to a spokesperson for the potential future HHS secretary but did not hear back by press time.
