Top Republican Breaks With Trump Over Autism Claims: ‘Very Concerned’
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) told CNN anchor Dana Bash on Wednesday that he was “very concerned” about President Donald Trump’s recent statement linking autism to Tylenol use during pregnancy and urged the administration to follow sound science.
Bash asked Thune, “Speaking of health care, I do want to ask about President Trump, along with HHS Secretary RFK Jar, saying this week that pregnant women should limit using Tylenol during pregnancy because of a quote, very increased risk of autism. And that’s a claim that is not grounded in science. How worried are you, sir, that RFK Jr. and the president will actually, with what they’ve said, adversely impact the health of American women and their babies?”
“I’m obviously very concerned about that. I am a father and a grandfather and just have, as of about seven months ago, a newborn grandson,” Thune said as Bash replied, “Congratulations.”
“So, obviously pregnant — thank you — pregnant moms is something I have a very high level of interest in, and I do — I agree, I think that science ought to guide these discussions, these conversations, and our decision making around our health. There are studies out there that they reference. But again, I think there are an awful lot of people in the medical community who come to a different conclusion about the use of Tylenol,” Thune continued, adding:
And so, I think that — obviously my view is we ought to be very guarded in making broad assertions and make sure that they are well grounded in science and medicine, and where we’re taking the consultation advice of experts in the field and ensuring that these things are all well documented.
“So, given the fact that it sounds like you do have some concerns about it, and RFK Jr is in his job because you and the majority of the Senate voted to confirm him, is there anything that you can do to push back or call him, or is there anything you can do at all, or should you do in order to change the public discourse?” Bash followed up.
“Right. The Senate Finance Committee had an oversight hearing recently where he testified, and I think he’s scheduled to come before, or maybe the CDC Director, Dr Oz is scheduled to come before the Health Committee, the Health Education, Labor and Pensions Committee as well, to talk about some of these issues,” Thune replied, adding:
But again, and I — the Secretary has a responsibility and obligation to restore and return the trust of the American people in the decision-making process there, and I think the way to do that is to make sure the decisions are grounded in science. But yes, there needs to be oversight, there needs to be accountability, and there needs to be transparency into this decision-making process and ensure that it is governed by science.
And we have a number of physicians, as you know, who are Republican senators, who have pretty strong views about this, and I think have made those clear, not only in the last few days, but prior to that. As these decisions are made about America’s public health, they ought to be grounded in science, and that’s my belief, and I hope that the Secretary adheres to that. There will certainly be, I think, future opportunities for him to come in and defend his views and decision-making process that leads him to decisions that he makes.
Watch the clip above via CNN.
