Reactions Roll in for RFK Jr.’s Confirmation as Health Secretary, Ag Industry Largely Silent

Another member of the historic Kennedy family is in political office, this time in the cabinet of President Donald Trump. 

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the environmental lawyer, vaccine skeptic, and former independent candidate for president, was confirmed Thursday morning by the Senate. Kennedy’s confirmation process was filled with uncertainty, as he defended statements he made alleging that vaccines could cause autism, which he made without evidence supporting the claim. 

Kennedy, 71, was confirmed 52-48, with Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) the only Republican senator to vote against him. Now as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), he will oversee the National Institute of Health, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

One of Kennedy’s first challenges will be the ongoing H5N1 bird flu epidemic in poultry across the U.S., with the potential for human infection worrying medical experts. He will also potentially work closely with newly confirmed Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. 

During his committee hearings in the Senate, Kennedy said he wanted to work closely with Rollins to help farmers use more regenerative practices, and said farmers “are using seeds and chemicals that, over the long term, are costing them and us.”

He also said he wanted to push farmers in the U.S. away from chemicals, alleging this would help farmers sell more produce overseas in the European Union (EU).

“We have to offer farmers an off-ramp from chemically intensive agriculture, which they don’t want to do,” he said. “There’s illness all over the farm community, and it’s undoubtedly related to the intensity of chemical pesticides.”

After he said this at the hearing, the Breakthrough Institute released a response article pushing back against Kennedy’s claims. In the article, Associate Director of Federal Policy, Food, and Agriculture Emily Bass said, “It is not at all clear that no-till or other regenerative practices would help U.S. farmers reduce the use of pesticides, or in any way improve access to the European market. Many farmers practicing no-till still use herbicides.”

Despite his statements about agriculture and pesticide usage before and during his senate hearings, most agricultural organizations have steered clear of making statements following Kennedy’s confirmation.

However, reactions from members of the Senate Ag Committee and other organizations affected by Kennedy’s appointment have weighed in.

State and Federal Government Officials

Sen. Mitch McConnell

McConnell was the only senator to break party lines in Kennedy’s vote. The Kentucky Republican voted against Kennedy and explained his decision, citing in part his experience surviving childhood polio.

“In my lifetime, I’ve watched vaccines save millions of lives from devastating diseases across America and around the world. I will not condone the re-litigation of proven cures, and neither will millions of Americans who credit their survival and quality of life to scientific miracles. 

“Individuals, parents, and families have a right to push for a healthier nation and demand the best possible scientific guidance on preventing and treating illness. But a record of trafficking in dangerous conspiracy theories and eroding trust in public health institutions does not entitle Mr. Kennedy to lead these important efforts.

“This Administration — led by the same President who delivered a medical miracle with [Operation] Warp Speed — deserves a leader who is willing to acknowledge without qualification the efficacy of life-saving vaccines and who can demonstrate an understanding of basic elements of the U.S. healthcare system. Mr. Kennedy failed to prove he is the best possible person to lead America’s largest health agency. As he takes office, I sincerely hope Mr. Kennedy will choose not to sow further doubt and division but to restore trust in our public health institutions,” McConnell said.

Sen. John Hoeven

Hoeven, a North Dakota Republican, is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee alongside McConnell and was a strong supporter of Kennedy’s nomination.

“President Trump selected Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to serve as HHS Secretary with a mandate to improve the health of our nation,” Hoeven said in a release. “Importantly, when we met with Secretary Kennedy he indicated that he understands the importance of working with stakeholders, from our farmers and ranchers to school nutritionists, and is focused on providing more transparency and choices for the American people. We congratulate Secretary Kennedy on his confirmation and look forward to working with the Trump administration to Make America Healthy Again.”

Sen. Roger Marshall

Kansas Republican Roger Marshall is a member of the Senate Ag Committee, the founding member of the Make America Health Again caucus, and was staunchly supportive of Kennedy throughout the nomination process.

“Today marks a great day for America, particularly for our nation’s children,” Marshall said. “I want to extend a big thank you to all members of the Make America Healthy Again movement who were instrumental in pushing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. across the finish line. With 60% of Americans currently battling chronic diseases, we desperately need a radical shift toward prevention rather than focusing on treatment alone. Now, it’s time to get to work and Make America Healthy Again.”

Sen. Cory Booker

A Democrat from New Jersey, Booker is also a member of the Senate Ag Committee. 

“There’s no question that America’s food system is painfully broken,” Booker said. “It drives historic levels of suffering and illness. It’s broken for farmers and rural communities; it’s broken for workers; it poisons our environment; it subsidizes unhealthy foods and hurts consumers. It’s a system that seems to hurt everyone except the multinational food companies that control it.

“It’s also true that our country faces a huge nutrition crisis. In recent decades, we’ve seen an explosion of diet-related diseases, fueled by the world’s biggest food companies that rigged the rules in their favor to maximize profits at the expense of public health. These companies have blocked my efforts to regulate things like toxic pesticides, food chemicals, and ultra-processed foods.

“I’m always hopeful that we can make progress on these challenges and I will work with whomever wants to join with me and the millions of Americans who are demanding change.

“However, I will not be voting to confirm Mr. Kennedy. He has championed views on a number of issues that are deeply concerning to me. Furthermore, the Trump administration is flagrantly ignoring the law in its efforts to dismantle vital government programs, from health care to education to national security, while ignoring the burden of rising costs on American families.”

Commodity Groups

American Feed Industry Association (AFIA)

Founded in 1909, the AFIA represents the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal food industry and its suppliers. The organization’s membership comprises over 650 domestic and international companies that represent the total feed industry — manufacturers of commercial and integrated feed and pet food, ingredient suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, industry support, and equipment manufacturers.

“We look forward to working with HHS and the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine to build upon the years-long effort to modernize U.S. animal food regulations so that they keep pace with advancing animal nutrition science and put the U.S. animal food industry on a level playing field with its global counterparts,” AFIA President and CEO Constance Cullman said. “Our goal is that the U.S. animal food regulatory system encourages innovators to invest in and deliver innovative ingredients to the market in a timely way and that American farmers, ranchers, and pet owners maintain confidence in the safety of the U.S. food supply. We urge Kennedy to keep science, not evolving public opinion, at the heart of his decision-making so that together, we can meet our country’s food safety and security goals.”

International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)

IFPA represents member companies from small family businesses to international corporations throughout the global fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers, and allied associations.

“With diet-related diseases placing immense strain on our healthcare system, ensuring greater access to fresh fruits and vegetables must be a top national priority,” IFPA CEO Cathy Burns said. “We are eager to collaborate with HHS and FDA to integrate produce into healthcare, improve food labeling transparency, and expand financial incentives that encourage healthier eating.”

The IPFA also provided three priorities for the new HHS head that they plan on trying to advance during Kennedy’s tenure.

1. Integrate produce prescriptions in healthcare: “Expanding produce prescriptions as a covered benefit in federal health programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, VA, and Indian Health Service can provide millions of Americans with better access to nutritious foods. HHS should ensure continued Medicaid 1115 waivers and prevent funding cuts that could hinder progress in addressing diet-related diseases,” IPFA said in the release. 
2. Enhance nutrition clarity in food labeling: ”Consumers deserve clear and transparent food labeling to make informed dietary choices. The FDA should require food products making fruit and vegetable claims to disclose actual quantities per serving and mandate ‘contains no fruits [and/or] vegetables’ labels for misleading products. Strengthening front-of-package nutrition labeling in 2025 will further help consumers identify healthier options,” IPFA added. 
3. Expansion of incentives for fruits and vegetables: “Making fruits and vegetables eligible for purchase under Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) would help increase consumption and reduce diet-related diseases. IFPA also supports the introduction of a federal tax credit for produce purchases that align with Dietary Guidelines. Federal investment in research is needed to assess the impact of these incentives on dietary habits.”