"When Did You Become a Sellout?" – RFK Jr.'s Shifting Stance on Abortion

"I don’t know." A response you'd expect from a student struggling with a new math equation or a fashionista unsure about the perfect outfit. But when that same uncertain answer comes from a nominee for United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), it carries far greater weight.?

RFK Jr. uttered these words when asked whether the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA)—which mandates that most hospitals provide necessary stabilizing care in medical emergencies—requires healthcare providers to perform life-saving abortions, even in states where they are banned. His uncertainty highlights the critical stakes of this issue, where clarity is not just expected but essential.?

On Jan. 31, 2025, Kennedy faced his first round of Senate confirmation hearings, where he appeared to contradict previous positions he had taken on key issues. Not only has he altered his views, but at times, he seemed unsure of where he stands at all.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., called attention to Kennedy’s changing stance on abortion.

“A year and a half ago, you went to New Hampshire … and you talked about how the government should not tell a woman what she can do with her own body. That’s her choice,” Sanders said.

In a June 2023 interview with WMUR in New Hampshire, Kennedy characterized himself as “pro-choice” and said he thought “the worst solution is if the government is involved in decisions that should belong to a woman.”

When shown these quotes on posters right in front of his face, his answers were an obvious script following the rhetoric of President Donald Trump.?

"I agree with President Trump that every abortion is a tragedy," he said several times. “I agree with him that we cannot be a moral nation if there are 1.2 million abortions a year," he also said. "I agree with him that states should control abortion.”

This abrupt shift in his position raises questions about his independence and whether he is merely aligning himself with Trump’s administration for political gain.

“When was it that you decided to sell out the values you’ve had your whole life in order to be given power by President Trump?” said Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH).

Beyond the legality of abortion, access to science-backed reproductive healthcare is also at risk.

Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., forcefully pressed Kennedy on his stance regarding mifepristone, a medication used in most abortions that research has shown to be both safe and effective. Kennedy suggested he was open to significantly limiting access to the drug, citing unspecified “safety issues.”

“President [Donald] Trump has asked me to study the safety of mifepristone,” Kennedy said.

In response, Hassan held up a thick stack of studies. “The studies are there. The safety is proven. The science is there,” she said, her frustration evident.

Kennedy also struggled to articulate his stance on EMTALA and how, as HHS secretary, he would handle its enforcement. His lack of clarity contrasted sharply with the unwavering determination of women senators who fought to defend reproductive rights. Which was a strategy used in President Joe Biden’s administration.?

If you have not yet watched the hearing, consider doing so. The stakes for reproductive rights, healthcare access, and the future of HHS leadership have never been higher.

While watching, you will see women leaders like Sen. Maggie Hassan and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., fiercely advocate for women’s rights. Although the responses from the men in charge are often vague and disappointing, the relentless questioning and passion of these women are both powerful and inspiring.

#RFKJR. #Abortion #Mifepristone #MaggieHassan #CatherineCortez

To learn more information, visit www.womenspeakupus.org for resources, events, and more.?

Written By: Lauryn Tadda