Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, defended Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, despite Kennedy’s history of questioning vaccines. Mullin praised Kennedy’s intelligence and his willingness to raise questions about vaccines and their potential connection to autism, although there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
Mullin also suggested that Trump could pursue confirmation of his picks through the recess appointment process, a tactic that allows the president to appoint nominees without Senate approval. While acknowledging that this process is controversial and has been challenged in the past, Mullin indicated that he would support it if necessary to get Trump’s nominees confirmed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that vaccines do not cause autism, citing studies that found no link between vaccines and the condition. Despite this, Kennedy has a history of promoting baseless conspiracy theories about vaccines and other health-related topics. Mullin’s defense of Kennedy and support for potential recess appointments reflect the ongoing debate surrounding vaccines and public health policy in the United States.
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