Kennedy’s MAHA Report Sparks GOP, Farmer Concerns

Kennedy’s MAHA Report Sparks GOP, Farmer Concerns \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A forthcoming White House report led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is stirring tensions among farmers and Republican lawmakers, who fear it will target glyphosate and disrupt agriculture. The report, tied to Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, examines links between lifestyle, food, chemicals, and childhood disease. Kennedy insists it won’t jeopardize farming.

Quick Looks

• MAHA Commission report on childhood health due Thursday
• Concerns over findings on glyphosate, a common pesticide
• Trump ordered lifestyle-focused health review within first 100 days
• Farmers, GOP lawmakers say they were excluded from input
• Sen. Chuck Grassley warns of threat to food supply
• Glyphosate labeled probable carcinogen by World Health Organization
• Kennedy denies report will harm farmers’ livelihoods
• 79 Republican lawmakers wrote letter opposing potential conclusions
• MAHA supporters call for accountability from chemical industry
• Report linked to Kennedy’s $500M public health initiative
• No public commission meetings held despite transparency pledge
• White House silent ahead of report’s release

Deep Look

A White House report on childhood diseases, set for release Thursday, has already ignited a national controversy that pits farmers and Republican lawmakers against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his signature initiative, “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA). The report is expected to scrutinize how food, pharmaceuticals, and environmental chemicals may contribute to childhood health conditions such as obesity, ADHD, and depression.

But for many in agriculture, especially those in Republican-led farming states, the most contentious element is whether the report will target glyphosate—the active ingredient in Roundup and one of the world’s most widely used herbicides.

Farmers Fear Fallout Over Glyphosate

At the center of the controversy is glyphosate, a chemical that has been used for over five decades to control weeds and reduce the need for tilling, which conserves both soil and fuel. Despite its long history in American agriculture, glyphosate has come under fire in recent years, particularly after the World Health Organization classified it as a probable human carcinogen.

That label, along with lawsuits Kennedy has spearheaded against agrochemical companies, has many in the farming industry deeply uneasy about what the MAHA Commission’s findings may suggest.

“I hope there is nothing in the MAHA report that jeopardizes the food supply or the livelihood of farmers,” warned Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday.

Republican Lawmakers Raise Transparency Concerns

Last month, 79 Republican lawmakers—including senators from major agricultural states—sent a letter to Kennedy expressing concern that the report could undermine crop yields by demonizing necessary farming tools.

“There’s a reason why we still use [glyphosate]: It works,” said Blake Hurst, a Missouri farmer and former Missouri Farm Bureau president.

Their criticism includes not only the report’s suspected content but the lack of transparency leading up to its release. Despite President Trump’s February executive order mandating a commission to explore these health threats, there have been no public meetings, and only brief, edited clips of one closed-door session have been made public.

Kennedy’s Dual Role: Regulator and Reformer

Since becoming health secretary, Kennedy has built his leadership around the theme of “radical transparency.” But that transparency is now in question, as farmers, lawmakers, and advocacy groups alike express frustration over the closed nature of the MAHA Commission.

Kennedy has long been a polarizing figure in health debates, known for his environmental activism and high-profile litigation against corporations. His recent anti-vaccine advocacy has further heightened political tensions.

Still, Kennedy maintains that the report will not be hostile to farmers. During a Senate appropriations hearing on Wednesday, he directly addressed concerns raised by Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), who asked if the findings would unfairly target agriculture.

“There’s not a single word in them that should worry the American farmer,” Kennedy replied. “We are not going to do anything to jeopardize that business model.”

Advocates Push for Accountability from the Chemical Industry

Kennedy’s supporters, however, are urging the report to take a hardline stance against pesticide use. In a letter sent Wednesday, 360 MAHA supporters, including former Kennedy campaign staffers, farmers, and allies from his nonprofit work, urged the commission to hold chemical manufacturers accountable.

“Evidence is piling up and the risks from pesticide exposure are undeniable,” the letter said.

Dave Murphy, a former fundraiser for Kennedy’s presidential campaign, confirmed he submitted multiple studies to the administration and hinted that there’s pressure from within Washington to soften the report’s conclusions.

The Bigger Picture: A New Public Health Doctrine

The report comes amid a broader reshaping of the Trump administration’s health agenda. Kennedy’s proposed FY2025 budget includes $500 million for the MAHA initiative, which seeks to curb chronic disease through better diet, fewer toxins, and less reliance on prescription medications.

Yet, this same budget proposal also recommends major cuts to infectious disease prevention, maternal health services, and medical research, sparking concerns that Kennedy’s focus on environmental and lifestyle reform is coming at the expense of more traditional health priorities.

The MAHA Commission was supposed to include several high-profile figures, including Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, but their roles in the commission’s activities have not been publicly detailed.

What Happens Next?

As the nation awaits the report’s release, the stakes are high. The agricultural industry fears disruption, lawmakers demand transparency, and Kennedy’s supporters see an opportunity to redefine public health standards from the ground up.

The White House has not responded to requests for comment, leaving the public and policymakers to speculate on whether the MAHA report will be a blueprint for healthier children—or a flashpoint for political and agricultural upheaval.

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