A House Democrat who's running for Senate has filed articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) accused Kennedy of an assault on the U.S. public health system that she said amounted to high crimes and misdemeanors, specifying that President Donald Trump's nominee had endangered biomedical innovation by firing scientists and canceling research grants – which she said violated his oath of office, reported the New York Times.
“I am not one for political theater,” Stevens told the Times. “I am for standing up for the health and safety of the people I represent. It’s pretty clear that these are life-and-death issues for folks.”
Stevens said she had discussed the articles of impeachment with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), but Democratic leaders are not backing her effort and some colleagues accused her of engaging in a politically motivated stunt to gain traction in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary.
However, Sen. Angus King (I-ME) is giving lawmakers a chance to show their disapproval of Kennedy, who has taken steps to re-examine childhood vaccination recommendations in violation of pledges he made to win confirmation, in a Senate vote scheduled for Wednesday.