Enviros target common ground with RFK Jr.

By Ellie Borst | 01/27/2025 01:40 PM EST

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces two hearings this week to consider his nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Robert Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Health and Human Services Department, walks between meetings with senators on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

At the center of Robert F. Kennedy's agenda, which he calls “Make America Healthy Again,” is a crackdown on corporate influence and harmful chemicals in our environment, foods and medicine. Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s former environmental colleagues have called him an anti-science conspiracy theorist, a misinformation superspreader and a traitor.

Yet some advocates see promise in working with Kennedy, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, to achieve some long-standing environmental health goals.

Kennedy, whose nomination could face headwinds, will appear before two committees this week. The Senate Finance Committee scheduled a confirmation hearing for Wednesday morning. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee scheduled its hearing for Thursday morning.

Advertisement

At the center of the former environmental attorney’s agenda, which he calls “Make America Healthy Again,” is a crackdown on corporate influence and harmful chemicals in our environment, foods and medicine.

GET FULL ACCESS