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Mitch plays the polio card in a pre-confirmation attack on RFK Jr.

December 14, 2024 | | Print Article

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) took a personal stance in his attack on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. amid reports of revoking the Polio vaccine.

A portion of McConnell’s left leg is paralyzed due to a childhood bout with Polio and the GOP leader reacted to The New York Times report on Friday about Kennedy’s lawyer petitioning the government on the vaccine, warning RFK Jr. and others to “steer clear” of efforts as he raised the alarm over “specious disinformation.”

“The lawyer helping Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pick federal health officials for the incoming Trump administration has petitioned the government to revoke its approval of the polio vaccine, which for decades has protected millions of people from a virus that can cause paralysis or death,” the report noted.

“That campaign is just one front in the war that the lawyer, Aaron Siri, is waging against vaccines of all kinds,” the article continued.

“Mr. Siri has also filed a petition seeking to pause the distribution of 13 other vaccines; challenged, and in some cases quashed, Covid vaccine mandates around the country; sued federal agencies for the disclosure of records related to vaccine approvals; and subjected prominent vaccine scientists to grueling videotaped depositions,” The Times added.

McConnell reacted in a statement as he played the polio card in attacking the “dangerous” effort to revoke approval for the vaccine.

“Like millions of families before them, my parents knew the pain and fear of watching their child struggle with the life-altering diagnosis of polio. From the age of two, normal life without paralysis was only possible for me because of the miraculous combination of modern medicine and a mother’s love,” the 82-year-old said.

“But for millions who came after me, the real miracle was the saving power of the polio vaccine,” he explained.

“For decades, I have been proud to work with devoted advocates – from Rotary International to the Gates Foundation- and use my platform in public life to champion the pursuit of cures for further generations. I have never flinched from confronting specious disinformation that threatens the advance of lifesaving medical progress, and I will not today,” declared McConnell, who recently suffered injuries to his wrist and face after a fall at the Capitol.

“The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives and held out the promise of eradicating a terrible disease. Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed – they’re dangerous,” he argued.

“Anyone seeking the Senate’s consent to serve in the incoming Administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts,” McConnell concluded with a clear jab at Kennedy who has never said he wanted to revoke the polio vaccine.

Social media users weighed in on McConnell’s threats.

Frieda Powers
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