Sen. Tuberville Boasts That His Granddaughter Won’t Get Vaccines Because Her Parents ‘Have Done Their Research’
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) proudly asserted that his granddaughter will not receive at least some vaccines because her parents have done their own research on the matter.
On Thursday, the Senate confirmation hearing of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. entered its second day. President Donald Trump nominated the political scion to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, which has alarmed public health experts concerned about his anti-vaccine activism.
Most Republican senators appear to be on board with the nomination, though a handful have expressed reservations.
“I’ve had my first granddaughter here in a couple of weeks,” Tuberville told Kennedy at the hearing. “And my son and his wife have done their research about vaccines. And she’s not gonna be a pin cushion. We’re not gonna allow that to happen.”
The senator did not specify which vaccines his granddaughter will not be getting, if any. He then appeared to suggest that scientists are being hampered or perhaps influenced by drugmakers, which are seeking to sell as many vaccines as possible.
“Let’s empower scientists to do their job,” he said, recalling a previous conversation he had with Kennedy. “You know, let’s go by what they do. Let’s don’t just do something for the pharmaceutical companies.”
During his confirmation hearing, Kennedy took heat from several Democratic senators over his anti-vaxx positions, his claim that Covid-19 was “ethnically targeted” to spare Chinese people and Jews, and other baseless beliefs he has promoted.
Tuberville met with Kennedy last month, where the nominee – who has said he is pro-choice – allayed the senator’s concerns on the issue. Kennedy said he and the anti-abortion Trump had come to “an agreement” on the matter.
Watch above via PBS News.
