• Mike Pence's Advancing American Freedom calls for the rejection of RFK Jr.'s nomination as Health Secretary.
• The group cites Kennedy's past support for abortion as a primary concern.
• Kennedy faces scrutiny over both abortion and his vaccine skepticism from various political factions.
• The confirmation hearings for Kennedy are anticipated to take place in late January.

Mike Pence's conservative organization, Advancing American Freedom, is urging Republican senators to vote against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). This call is primarily driven by concerns regarding Kennedy's previous support for abortion rights, which Pence's group considers incompatible with the administration's pro-life stance. In a letter sent to U.S. senators, AAF characterized Kennedy as "pro-abortion," expressing skepticism towards his recent attempts to appeal to pro-life advocates.

The letter, authored by AAF President Tim Chapman and Board Chairman Marc Short, emphasizes the critical nature of the HHS Secretary's role, which includes making daily decisions that can significantly affect life-related policies. They stated, "There are hundreds of decisions made every day at HHS that either lead our nation toward a respect for life or away from it.” These decisions encompass federal funding for activities like Planned Parenthood and regulations concerning abortion medications, thus underscoring the weight of the nomination process.

RFK Jr.'s confirmation hearings are set for the final week of January, with significant discussions expected around his record on both abortion and vaccines. Critics from across the political spectrum have raised alarms not only about his concessions to pro-life sentiments but also about his conspiracy-laden views on vaccines and COVID-19. HuffPost reported that even before finally backing Trump’s chosen nominee, Pence was vocal about his opposition, citing that Kennedy's nomination would betray the pro-life ideology many Republican voters adhere to.

Kennedy, who has flip-flopped on his abortion stance throughout his political career, previously declared that abortion should be unrestricted up to a certain point, adding to the tension surrounding his candidacy. Pence articulated that Kennedy's appointment would represent "an abrupt departure from the pro-life record of our administration" and should alarm pro-life constituents who have supported the GOP over the years. With numerous inquiries related to his viewpoints expected during the nomination hearings, it remains to be seen how Kennedy will navigate his historical record and whether he can find common ground with both Republican lawmakers and his constituents. For further details, check the full article on Newsweek.