Anti-abortion groups have decided not to launch a campaign opposing the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Human and Health Services despite his support for abortion, Politico said.
The anti-abortion movement said it wants to be deferential toward President Donald Trump, who nominated the Supreme Court justices that overturned Roe v. Wade, the constitutional right to an abortion, Politico reported.
Advancing American Freedom, co-founded by former Vice President Mike Pence is the only anti-abortion group opposing Kennedy's nomination.
"Our role really is to ask conservatives to take the life issue seriously and to not sweep it under the rug for political expediency," Tim Chapman, leader of Advancing American Freedom said to Politico. "If [anti-abortion groups] are not able to do that, that shows a sign of a sickness within the conservative movement itself."
Anti-abortion groups said they are waiting to hear what Kennedy says in his Senate confirmation hearing before taking a stance on his nomination.
"If RFK doesn't firmly pledge to take basic pro-life actions, it will be disqualifying," Lila Rose, the leader of Live Action, told Politico. "And if he's going to, in any way, get in the way of the pro-life agenda and protecting life, then it's completely disqualifying."
Pro-life groups are demanding Kennedy limit the availability of abortion pills or ban them, as well as eliminating orders from the Biden administration that expanded access to the procedure and protected the privacy of abortion patients, Politico reported.
While running for president, Kennedy said he supported removing nearly all government restrictions on abortion before walking it back. Kennedy has told senators he is there to implement Trump's agenda, not his own, Politico said.
Major healthcare industry groups have also declined to oppose Kennedy, despite Kennedy's anti-vaccine stance, according to Politico.
Sam Barron ✉
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