What's Happening

Health

RFK Jr. Is Giving Us a Taste of His Policy Ambitions

What's going on: It’s been nearly a month since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in to oversee the country’s health, and he’s serving up plenty of ideas on how to improve food safety. Earlier this week, Kennedy directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to find a way to stop companies from adding chemicals to their ingredients list without federal approval (yes, that’s been happening). However, it could take years to do away with the loophole. In the meantime, RFK Jr. and the MAHA movement are getting ready to go after artificial food dyes and seed oils (at least Steak ‘n Shake has already “RFK’d” its fries).

What it means: RFK Jr.’s vision to remake the US food system has earned support from many Americans, Republicans, and even some Democrats. His other actions as health secretary? Not so much. Kennedy has faced criticism for pushing vitamin A as a treatment for measles (which has no known treatment or cure) instead of the vaccine. That’s as Texas grapples with a measles outbreak that has spread to other states. Kennedy’s team has also canceled FDA flu vaccine meetings and offered $25,000 buyouts to some Health and Human Services employees. As experts worry that Kennedy could further erode declining childhood vaccination rates, government agencies and the food industry are bracing for his next moves.

Related: These Are the States Rushing To Get a MAHA Makeover (The Guardian)

Politics

The New Mom Caucus? A Republican and a Democrat Team Up to Change Congress

What's going on: Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) cradled her 4-week-old son as she cast a crucial vote on the House floor to oppose the GOP budget deal last month. Now, she and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) are trying to force a vote on a resolution that would allow new parents to designate a colleague to vote on their behalf for up to 12 weeks after welcoming a child. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), a longtime opponent of proxy voting, has refused to bring the measure to the floor, calling it unconstitutional. But Luna and Pettersen are working around him, filing a discharge petition — a rare procedural move that allows lawmakers to bypass leadership. Last night, their bipartisan effort got the 218 signatures needed to bring the resolution up to a future vote.

What it means: It goes without saying that every vote counts, especially in a historically slim House majority. A single absence could determine a bill’s success. If the proxy voting measure passes, lawmakers could feel less pressure to be physically present when it’s unavoidable (think: the birth of a child or chemotherapy treatment). In Pettersen’s case, she returned to Congress just a month postpartum, ultimately deciding the night before to bring her newborn with her in order to vote. “The Republican Party is pro-family. I’m simply reminding them of that,” Luna told The 19th.

Related: Dave Portnoy in a Trump Admin. Role? It Almost Happened (Bloomberg Gift Link)

Travel

The Hottest Spot in Town Might Be in Terminal 2

What's going on: There’s something about a grand airport reunion — the running embrace, the happy tears, the Love Actually moment we all secretly want. Once a staple of air travel, those emotional gate-side greetings and grand airport gestures (both the dramatic and the funny ones) all but disappeared after September 11 led to major security changes. And with the rise of cellphones, which made it easy to track arrivals without showing up in person, the tradition faded. Now, a handful of airports are reviving some of that magic with modern twists: visitor pass programs, letting non-travelers apply in advance (sometimes even same-day) for TSA-approved gate access. No plane ticket required.

What it means: With terminals packed with buzzy restaurants, bars, and shops, along with added comfort spaces, airports are finding new ways to attract more visitors. It’s a win for big family reunions, emotional military homecomings, and anyone just looking for an easy outing. Some couples are even making it a date night thing (we listen and we don’t judge). And people are showing up — Orlando International even had to pause its Experience MCO Visitor Pass because demand was so high. And yes, just like ticketed passengers, visitors still have to clear security.

Related: Southwest Is Ending One of Its Most Popular Perks. Cue the Outrage. (NBC News)