It isn’t usually that Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) raises his voice, however he positive did Wednesday whereas taking Robert Kennedy Jr. to job for a number of the extra outlandish conspiracy theories he’s spent a profession respiratory life into.
Kennedy ― President Donald Trump’s decide for well being secretary ― testified earlier than the Senate Finance Committee, the place Bennet used his time to ask Kennedy to make clear his previous statements about every part from COVID-19 and Lyme illness to abortion.
“Out of 330 million Americans,” Bennet mirrored, incredulously, “we’re being asked to put somebody in this job who has spent 50 years of his life peddling in half-truths, peddling in false statements, peddling in theories that create doubt about whether or not things we know are safe are unsafe.”
Bennet opened his line of direct questioning with a doozy:
“I’m asking you: Yes or no, did you say that COVID-19 was a genetically engineered bioweapon that targeted Black and white people but spared Jews and Chinese people?”
Kennedy hedged, responding that he didn’t say that, he was simply quoting a research that stated it. (Learn extra concerning the incident right here).
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Bennet stated, then moved on: “Did you say that Lyme disease is highly likely a militarily engineered bioweapon?”
Kennedy paused and conceded, “I probably did say that.” As he tried to mood the assertion, Bennet drilled down: “I want all of our colleagues to hear it, Mr. Kennedy,” he stated, elevating his voice. “You said yes.”
J. Scott Applewhite by way of Related Press
Shifting alongside, the Colorado Democrat requested Kennedy if he’s ever stated “that exposure to pesticides causes children to become transgender.” Kennedy stated no, maybe forgetting he’s completely made the declare.
Bennet then referenced a piece in one in every of Kennedy’s books, asking if he’d written “that African AIDS is an entirely different disease from western AIDS.” When Kennedy demurred with an “I’m not sure,” Bennet provided to offer the ebook to the committee chair.
The senator’s voice once more rose on the finish of his time as he mirrored on Kennedy’s waffling response to a query about abortion rights.
“Did you say it, Mr. Kennedy?” he stated, eradicating his glasses earlier than repeating the query. “Did you say it, Mr. Kennedy!?”
Kennedy stalled, prompting Bennet to virtually yell, “This matters!”
“It doesn’t matter what you come here and say that isn’t true, that is not reflective of what you really believe,” he continued. “That you haven’t said over decade after decade after decade, because unlike other jobs we are confirming around this place, this is a job where it is life and death. … It is too important for the games that you are playing, Mr. Kennedy.”
Go Advert-Free — And Defend The Free Press
Already contributed? Log in to cover these messages.
“I hope my colleagues will say to the president that out of 330 million Americans,” he concluded, “we can do better than this.”
