On Thursday, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) questioned how West Virginia Senator Mike Stuart’s (R) views on vaccines and abortion might influence his role as a potential advisor to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Stuart has shown support for state bills allowing exemptions under West Virginia’s School Vaccination Policy. He identifies himself as “non-sided pro-life” and feels a sense of pride in the backing he has received from West Virginians regarding these views.
Back in February, President Donald Trump selected Stuart to be the agency’s chief lawyer, with the Senate Finance Committee set to review his nomination at 10 a.m. on Thursday.
If confirmed, Stuart would be responsible for providing legal counsel to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Deputy Chief Jim O’Neill, both of whom have initiated a range of changes within the agency, including staff reductions.
Warren emphasized in her letter, which Stuart initially shared with the Hill, that “Your interpretation of the law plays a key role in ensuring that HHS achieves its goal of protecting the health of all Americans.” However, she also expressed concerns that his beliefs on limiting abortions and skepticism towards vaccines might lead him to align with Trump administration policies that could compromise public health, deny abortion rights, and potentially affect millions of Americans’ health insurance.
Warren has requested that Stuart arrive at the hearing prepared with written replies to over 70 questions pertaining to vaccines, abortion access, staffing, Medicaid, and the execution of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
She concluded her letter by highlighting that “HHS takes great responsibility as its services and programming impact millions of American lives daily.” It’s crucial for the Chief Legal Advisor to provide unbiased advice to ensure all HHS actions adhere to the law.
