Casey Means, casey means Sidesteps Questions on Vaccines at Senate Hearing
casey means, President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general, faced questioning Wednesday about the president's recent executive order promoting more domestic production of glyphosate, an ingredient in weedkiller, and whether that policy conflicts with her past statements. During her confirmation hearing Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., pressed Means, a wellness influencer and author, about comments she has made that glyphosate causes cancer and whether she believes the order harms the health of families.
Glyphosate and Executive Order
Markey raised the executive order promoting more domestic production of glyphosate and framed the question around a potential conflict with Means' prior statements on the chemical. Glyphosate was described in the hearing as an ingredient in weedkiller, and the exchange focused on whether the order runs counter to Means' expressed concerns about the chemical's effects.
Sen. Ed Markey Exchange
During the hearing, Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., confronted Means about past comments that glyphosate causes cancer and whether the Trump executive order would harm the health of families. Markey told Means, "I understand that, Doctor. I'm just trying to help you to agree with yourself. You've already said it in the past, but Trump is contradicting you, " pressing her to reconcile her previous statements with the president's action.
Casey Means and MAHA Stance
Means identified herself as a supporter of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, saying the MAHA approach largely opposes pesticides in food production. The hearing record notes that Means is an ally of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and that her position within MAHA informs her views on agricultural practices and chemical use.
Environmental Protection Agency Response
On the question of glyphosate and cancer risk, the Environmental Protection Agency was cited in the hearing as saying there is "no evidence glyphosate causes cancer in humans. " That statement was used as a counterpoint in the exchange between Markey and Means.
Means' Comments on Chemicals and Farming
Means spoke directly about her broader perspective on chemicals in the food supply, saying, "We must as a country move away from using toxic inputs in our food supply and we must study these chemicals more to understand their effects. I am very gravely concerned about the health impacts of these chemicals. " She later outlined MAHA's strategy in positive terms: "going to make sure American consumers are protected, and that we are entering an era where we are going to prioritize helping farmers move to more sustainable farming practices. I think those are all good things. I think it's extremely important, both for our planet and our health, and I'm going to be a champion on that issue. "
The hearing also included an emotional framing from the nominee on national health, captured in the segment titled, "Surgeon General nominee Means says health problems reflect nation with a 'broken heart, ' 'society losing its mind. '"
MAHA Movement Reaction
Markey characterized the reaction within MAHA to the president's executive order, saying, "The MAHA movement is not happy with the Trump executive order, " and added, "That's the reality. " That exchange followed Means' description of MAHA's priorities and her pledge to champion sustainable farming practices.
Wyatte Grantham-Philips is listed as the author of the original coverage on which this account is based.
Closing: At her confirmation hearing Wednesday, Dr. Casey Means faced repeated questions from Sen. Ed Markey about whether President Donald Trump's executive order promoting more domestic production of glyphosate conflicts with her past statements and with MAHA movement priorities; the Environmental Protection Agency's statement that there is "no evidence glyphosate causes cancer in humans" was raised during the exchange.
