Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., on Sunday defended President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr., saying Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, is “too smart.” It comes to vaccines and suspected autism levels in the US.
“I sat down and had a long conversation with him [Kennedy]and I actually think the guy is pretty smart when it comes to this. And some of these things raise a lot of questions,” Mullin told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” when asked if Kennedy’s history of questioning the effectiveness of vaccines was a deal breaker for the Oklahoma senator.
“I said that vaccines have positive aspects. I have also questioned vaccines many times, and I think they should be questioned,” Mullin told moderator Kristen Welker before falsely linking vaccines to autism. situation.
“For example, why is America the highest in autism? What causes this? Is it our diet or some of the things we put into our children’s systems?’ Mullin said, adding, “What’s the reason for that? And if it’s not the vaccine, there’s really nothing wrong with looking closely and finding out, is that what’s causing it? Something else we put into our systems? We know that right now we are not as healthy as we should be.”
It’s true that autism spectrum disorder has been diagnosed at increasing rates “for many years since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began tracking ASD in 2000.” According to XNMthe agency notes that “studies continue to show that vaccines are not associated with ASD.”
Agency points to two studiesOne from the National Academy of Medicine and the CDC found that vaccines do not cause autism. first reviewed the safety of eight individual vaccines for children and adults. The second study reviewed antigens administered to children in the first two years of life. Both studies showed that vaccines are safe and do not cause autism.
Kennedy has long unreasonably questioned the effectiveness of vaccines and also propagated conspiracy theories about fluoride, raw milk, heavy metals and pesticides in food.
Mullin also indicated that he would support confirming some of Trump’s picks through the recess appointment process. In an essay about truth Social Before Senate Republicans elected Sen. John Thune, R-RSD, as their new majority leader last week.
The recess appointment process would allow the president to recess the House and Senate so he can appoint his nominees without going through the traditional Senate confirmation process.
This is something the Senate tries to avoid, and that’s why it goes into pro forma sessions even when the chamber is in recess.
Mullin acknowledged that it was a “very difficult” process and recalled that President Barack Obama tried to use the recess appointment process and was rebuked by the Supreme Court.
“It would definitely be a last resort,” Mullin told Welkere. “But if we have to do it to get approval, then by all means, let’s do it. But I would say that it would be the last option.”