HILL STAFF VIEWS: Huge Majority of Congressional Aides Want ‘Healthy’ Food Regs
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made a lot of political waves during the 2024 presidential campaign season by initially announcing his candidacy for the Democratic nomination, then after being effectively barred by the Democratic National Committee (DNC), becoming an Independent candidate.
But there came a point in RFK Jr’s independent effort that it became clear it was not the path that would put him in the strongest possible position to influence the course of national events after the November ballots are all counted and the 47th President of the United States is either the 45th, Donald J. Trump, or the incumbent Vice President, Kamala Harris.
Farewell, yon flavorful Big Mac! (Photo by amirali mirhashemian on Unsplash)
So RFK Jr threw in with Trump and the two men have become comfortable and complimentary allies. Expectations are that RFK Jr. will be appointed to a highly visible position in a second Trump administration and that his focus will be on restoring healthy food in the American diet.
When CNCT Capitol Pulse asked congressional staffers if they would support efforts to reform U.S. food regulation along the lines of Europe, which are closer to RFK Jr., the response was overwhelmingly positive and bipartisan.
Among Democratic staffers, 87 percent said yes, while 81 percent of the Republican aides did so. A mere five percent of the GOPers were “unsure” and only three percent of the Democrats expressed that view.
Interestingly, younger staffers at six percent were far less likely to say no, they don’t want to follow Europe’s lead on food regulation. By comparison, one of every five, or 20 percent, of staffers over the age of 30 oppose going the European route.
Finally, 95 percent of the communications staffers said yes, and 84 percent of the policy staffers did so. So, if Trump is re-elected and RFK Jr. gets the opportunity to make it happen, Americans could be on the verge of a food regulation revolution.