RFK Jr allies panic as Republicans turn on his surgeon general pick

Surgeon General nominee Dr. Casey Means is running out of runway — growing Republican defections on the Senate health committee have left her without the votes needed to advance, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The healthy food advocate, championed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., currently lacks sufficient GOP support to move forward, forcing Kennedy allies to scramble behind the scenes, working the phones to pressure wavering Republican senators.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Means needs unanimous Republican support from the health committee if all Democrats oppose her nomination, as expected. She doesn't have it.

The standstill leaves no clear path to confirmation.

Several Republican health committee members have signaled serious doubts without publicly committing their votes, including Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana (the committee chairman), Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Susan Collins of Maine.

Even if Means clears committee, her prospects on the full Senate floor look bleak. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) has indicated he's leaning toward voting no. Other Republicans seen as likely defectors include Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who voted against Kennedy's HHS confirmation due to Kennedy's vaccine skepticism. Means can afford to lose only three Republican votes if all Democrats vote against her.

When asked if Means had the committee votes, Cassidy declined to say: "I just have nothing to say on that right now."

Kennedy's allies are now in full pressure mode. Tony Lyons, a Kennedy confidant who leads nonprofit groups supporting the MAHA movement, urged supporters during a recent livestream to mobilize.

"I encourage all of you to call your senators and tell them that you want to see Dr. Means confirmed as soon as possible," Lyons said. "I have no doubt that she'll lead the charge towards empowering Americans to take control of their health."

McConnell's opposition carries particular weight — he was the sole Republican who voted against Kennedy's HHS confirmation. Cassidy, however, expressed reservations but ultimately joined Collins, Murkowski, Tillis and other Republicans in supporting Kennedy's confirmation. The Louisiana senator faces a difficult primary challenge where Trump has backed his opponent, making him unlikely to break ranks with the president.