Mitch McConnell takes a swipe at Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over polio vaccine

Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read

WASHINGTON - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, took an apparent swipe at Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after reports that one of Kennedy’s top allies, Aaron Siri, petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to revoke its approval of a polio vaccine for kids.

McConnell’s pushback comes as President-elect Donald Trump tapped Kennedy to lead the Health and Human Services Department. Kennedy will have to be confirmed by the Senate before taking on the role.

“The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives and held out the promise of eradicating a terrible disease. Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed – they’re dangerous,” McConnell said in the statement on Friday.

“Anyone seeking the Senate’s consent to serve in the incoming Administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts,” McConnell added.

Senator Mitch McConnell speaks with Joe Arnold, Vice President of Strategic Communications for the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives during a forum at the Omni Hotel on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in Louisville, Ky.
Senator Mitch McConnell speaks with Joe Arnold, Vice President of Strategic Communications for the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives during a forum at the Omni Hotel on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in Louisville, Ky.

Siri, Kennedy’s adviser who is helping him pick health officials for the incoming Trump administration, filed the petition in 2022 on behalf of the group Informed Consent Action Safety, which has questioned vaccine safety, according to the New York Times. He has also filed a petition to pause the distribution of other vaccines and he has challenged COVID-19 vaccine mandates, the outlet reported.

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More: How Trump's 'big discussion' around vaccines and autism could hurt children's health

Kennedy has a long history of questioning the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, which has put him in a controversial spot with senators as he looks to shore up their support.

“I've got concerns about him and his consistent and long-term denial of the effectiveness of vaccines,” Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., told USA TODAY last month. “So that's an issue for me and but I will, you know, give him a, you know, fair shake at a confirmation process.”

Contributing: Zac Anderson, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: McConnell issues warning against Kennedy over polio vaccine reports

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