Official Senate voting records or announcements from the Senate

Pence Urges Senate to Reject RFK Jr. for HHS Secretary, Citing Pro-Abortion Stance

Nov 15, 2024, 04:13 PM

Former Vice President Mike Pence has publicly urged Senate Republicans to reject the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Pence's opposition stems from Kennedy's pro-abortion stance, which he argues would make him the 'most pro-abortion Republican appointed secretary of HHS in modern history.' This stance, according to Pence, represents a significant departure from the pro-life values traditionally upheld by the GOP. Kennedy's support for abortion rights, including his defense of abortion on demand during all nine months of pregnancy, his call for legislation to codify Roe v. Wade, and his opposition to the Dobbs decision, has drawn Pence's ire. Pence's statement reflects a broader concern among pro-life advocates about Kennedy's potential impact on HHS policies, especially during the Senate approval process.