It isn’t typically that Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) raises his voice, however he certain did Wednesday whereas taking Robert Kennedy Jr. to process for among the extra outlandish conspiracy theories he’s spent a profession respiration life into.
Kennedy ― President Donald Trump’s choose 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 thing from COVID-19 and Lyme illness to abortion.
“Out of 330 million People,” Bennet mirrored, incredulously, “we’re being requested to place any person on 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 or not issues we all know are secure are unsafe.”
Bennet opened his line of direct questioning with a doozy:
“I’m asking you: Sure or no, did you say that COVID-19 was a genetically engineered bioweapon that focused Black and white folks however spared Jews and Chinese language folks?”
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 sure,” Bennet stated, then moved on: “Did you say that Lyme illness is very probably a militarily engineered bioweapon?”
Kennedy paused and conceded, “I most likely did say that.” As he tried to mood the assertion, Bennet drilled down: “I need all of our colleagues to listen to it, Mr. Kennedy,” he stated, elevating his voice. “You stated sure.”
Shifting alongside, the Colorado Democrat requested Kennedy if he’s ever stated “that publicity to pesticides causes youngsters to turn out to be transgender.” Kennedy stated no, perhaps forgetting he’s absolutely made the claim.
Bennet then referenced a bit in one in every of Kennedy’s books, asking if he’d written “that African AIDS is a wholly totally different illness from western AIDS.” When Kennedy demurred with an “I’m unsure,” Bennet supplied to supply the e-book 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 issues!”
“It doesn’t matter what you come right here and say that isn’t true, that’s not reflective of what you actually imagine,” he continued. “That you just haven’t stated over decade after decade after decade, as a result of in contrast to different jobs we’re confirming round this place, this can be a job the place it’s life and demise. … It’s too essential for the video games that you’re enjoying, Mr. Kennedy.”
“I hope my colleagues will say to the president that out of 330 million People,” he concluded, “we will do higher than this.”
