Democrats Split on Whether to Oppose or Work With Kennedy
On November 12, Democrats were weighing how to use their new congressional majorities in dealing with Kennedy, who has signaled he intends to stay in office and continue his Make America Healthy Again agenda. The movement’s political fortunes have suffered alongside Republican losses in the midterms, but its supporters are now looking to Democrats for allies on some issues.
Several Democrats want investigations into Kennedy’s vaccine policies and his handling of measles outbreaks. South Carolina senator-elect Annie Andrews campaigned on impeaching him, calling him a danger to public health. Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks has demanded that Kennedy resign or be fired. However, some party members say impeachment efforts should focus first on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Other Democrats see room to work with Kennedy on food and environmental issues, including efforts to regulate ultraprocessed foods. Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine and former Ohio congressman Tim Ryan have urged cooperation, while Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed has put forward a related health agenda of his own. Kennedy’s spokesperson said he was open to working with members of Congress on shared priorities.
Some MAHA activists have become disillusioned with the Trump administration, citing delays to food regulation and an order to increase glyphosate production. Advocacy leaders have urged Democrats to meet with Kennedy, but newly elected Democratic health professionals may be less receptive. A World Health Organization body is expected early next week to remove the United States’ measles-elimination designation; since Kennedy became secretary, measles has claimed 11 lives nationwide.
Democrats Must Hold Kennedy Accountable for Public Health
Democrats have an opportunity to answer voters’ rejection of Kennedy’s health agenda, not help him rebrand it. The new congressional majorities can investigate his vaccine policies and response to measles outbreaks, which critics say have put lives at risk. South Carolina senator-elect Annie Andrews campaigned on impeaching him, while Sen. Angela Alsobrooks has called for his departure.
The stakes are immediate: 11 people have died of measles in the United States during Kennedy’s tenure, and a World Health Organization body is expected early next week to withdraw the country’s measles-elimination designation. Democrats should not let talk of shared priorities distract from the consequences critics associate with Kennedy’s leadership.
Some Democrats argue that working with Kennedy on food and environmental policy could attract health-focused voters. Rep. Chellie Pingree and former congressman Tim Ryan have made that case. But Kennedy’s spokesperson’s openness to cooperation does not resolve concerns about his vaccine agenda or measles response.
Kennedy’s movement has also been frustrated by the Trump administration’s delays on regulating ultraprocessed foods and its order to ramp up glyphosate production. That discontent may create openings for Democrats, but any partnership should not come at the expense of scrutiny. Even Democratic leaders have said impeachment attention should first go to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; the broader question of Kennedy’s accountability remains.
Democrats Risk Turning Health Policy Into a Political Showdown
The Democratic majority’s first instinct toward Kennedy appears to be confrontation. Some lawmakers want investigations into his vaccine policies and handling of measles, and South Carolina senator-elect Annie Andrews campaigned on impeaching him. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks has called for his removal, while party leaders are also considering impeachment efforts against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
That approach could squander common ground. Democrats including Rep. Chellie Pingree and former congressman Tim Ryan say the party should work with Kennedy where their priorities overlap, particularly on food and environmental policy. Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed has proposed his own health agenda, and Kennedy’s spokesperson says the secretary welcomes cooperation on shared goals.
MAHA supporters have criticized the Trump administration for delaying efforts to regulate ultraprocessed foods and for ordering increased glyphosate production. Their frustration gives Democrats a chance to engage health-focused voters rather than treating every Kennedy initiative as a partisan fight. Activists have specifically encouraged Democrats to sit down with the secretary.
Kennedy says he plans to remain in office. Yet many incoming Democratic lawmakers have medical or health backgrounds, and some oppose his approach. With a World Health Organization body expected early next week to remove the United States’ measles-elimination designation—and 11 measles deaths during Kennedy’s tenure—the debate has real public-health stakes. Democrats can scrutinize his record without abandoning opportunities to work on areas of agreement.
Reported by The Boston Globe, The Dispatch.
