Kaine and Warner have concerns about RFK Jr., Dr. Oz but say they want to see the process play out
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia U.S. senators are reacting to President-elect Donald Trump’s picks to lead key public health agencies. “You got to have the American public see them testify,” Senator Mark Warner (D) told 8News. “If they are coming before my committees, I want to have a one-on-one conversation with them and then I want to see how they do in the committee hearing before I make my mind up,” said Senator Tim Kaine (D). Trump selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kaine sits on the committee that will consider Kennedy’s nomination. “I am troubled by some of, in my view, the health misinformation that he has propagated in the past, but I have to admit that I don’t know him that well, I have never met him,” Kaine said. Meanwhile, Warner sits on the committee that will consider Trump’s selection to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz. Warner said his vote would depend on whether Oz commits to preserving Medicare. “We will see which promise the President-elect and his appointees are going to keep,” Warner said. “The one to protect Medicare and Social Security or the idea that he’s going to slash trillions of dollars from government spending, and the only place you slash that kind of money is a place like Medicare.” Kaine said he wants to know Oz’s view on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which he said has provided health insurance to tens of millions of Americans. “Are you committed to maintaining and improving the Affordable Care Act or are you on board with a vaguely defined plan similar to what President Trump did in his first term to repeal the ACA with no substitute in place?” Kaine said.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia U.S. senators are reacting to President-elect Donald Trump’s picks to lead key public health agencies.
“You got to have the American public see them testify,” Senator Mark Warner (D) told 8News.
“If they are coming before my committees, I want to have a one-on-one conversation with them and then I want to see how they do in the committee hearing before I make my mind up,” said Senator Tim Kaine (D).
Trump selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kaine sits on the committee that will consider Kennedy’s nomination.
“I am troubled by some of, in my view, the health misinformation that he has propagated in the past, but I have to admit that I don’t know him that well, I have never met him,” Kaine said.
Meanwhile, Warner sits on the committee that will consider Trump’s selection to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Warner said his vote would depend on whether Oz commits to preserving Medicare.
“We will see which promise the President-elect and his appointees are going to keep,” Warner said. “The one to protect Medicare and Social Security or the idea that he’s going to slash trillions of dollars from government spending, and the only place you slash that kind of money is a place like Medicare.”
Kaine said he wants to know Oz’s view on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which he said has provided health insurance to tens of millions of Americans.
“Are you committed to maintaining and improving the Affordable Care Act or are you on board with a vaguely defined plan similar to what President Trump did in his first term to repeal the ACA with no substitute in place?” Kaine said.
