It isn’t continuously that Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) raises his voice, however he positive did Wednesday whilst taking Robert Kennedy Jr. to process for probably the most extra outlandish conspiracy theories he’s spent a occupation respiring existence into.
Kennedy ― President Donald Trump’s pick out for well being secretary ― testified prior to the Senate Finance Committee, the place Bennet used his time to invite Kennedy to elucidate his previous statements about the whole lot 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 wondering 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?”
“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 attempted to mood the commentary, Bennet drilled down: “I want all of our colleagues to hear it, Mr. Kennedy,” he stated, elevating his voice. “You said yes.”
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) winces Wednesday as he questions Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the Capitol in Washington.
J. Scott Applewhite by the use of Related Press
Transferring alongside, the Colorado Democrat requested Kennedy if he’s ever stated “that exposure to pesticides causes children to become transgender.” Kennedy stated no, most likely forgetting he’s completely made the declare.
Bennet then referenced a bit in one in all 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 introduced to give you 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 reaction to a query about abortion rights.
“Did you say it, Mr. Kennedy?” he stated, taking out his glasses prior to repeating the query. “Did you say it, Mr. Kennedy!?”
Kennedy stalled, prompting Bennet to nearly 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 persevered. “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.”
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“I hope my colleagues will say to the president that out of 330 million Americans,” he concluded, “we can do better than this.”