Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. challenged West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey on Friday to lose 30 pounds and participate in a monthly “public weigh-in.”
“I said to Governor Morrisey the first time I saw him, ‘You look like you ate Governor Morrisey,'” Kennedy quipped.
Why It Matters
Kennedy, who has pledged to “Make America Healthy Again,” has proposed reforms related to various health initiatives, including changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). He has frequently advocated for eliminating processed foods and overhauling dietary guidelines, including banning the use of SNAP benefits to purchase soda.
Critics argue the proposal fails to address broader issues, such as limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables for millions of Americans living in so-called “food deserts.”
Morrisey pledged his support to the MAHA initiative and Kennedy’s health agenda Friday while unveiling his “Four Pillars of a Healthy West Virginia.” He announced that he submitted a waiver to the federal government to block the use of SNAP benefits to purchase soda as part of new food and nutrition legislation.
“I’m committed to Secretary Kennedy’s vision for America and raising health standards here in the Mountain State,” the governor said. The announcement marks Kennedy’s first formal state collaboration since becoming Health and Human Services secretary.
What To Know
On Friday, Kennedy appeared alongside Morrisey in Martinsburg, West Virginia, to commend the state’s initiatives to improve public health and a new ban on synthetic food dyes in school lunches. Morrisey outlined the four pillars as cleaning up food, movement, and rewarding healthy choices.
West Virginia has the highest obesity rate in the United States, around 40 percent.
Kennedy also discussed proposed changes to SNAP and applauded Morrisey’s efforts to prohibit the purchase of soda in the state through the program.
“West Virginia is leading the nation in passing a bill to clean up our food supply and submitting a waiver to remove soda from SNAP,” Kennedy said.
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Kennedy continued, “There was a lot of talk about getting healthy again, and I’m very happy that he’sinvited me to be his personal trainer. I’m gonna put him on a really rigorous regimen. We’re going to put him on a carnivore diet.”
“We’re going to make him do—raise your hand if you want Governor Morrisey to do a public weigh-in once a month. Then, when he’s lost 30 pounds, I’m going to come back to this state and do a celebration and a public weigh-in with him.”
His comments were received with applause and laughter.
From the sidelines, Morrisey said, “That may be a little more than I bargained for!”
What People Are Saying
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement: “Governor Morrisey is a visionary, and willing to cut through the DC noise to help families move toward healthier behaviors and healthier outcomes. I look forward to receiving Governor Morrisey’s SNAP pilot request and will work swiftly to make certain West Virginia is equipped with the technical assistance and expertise to move forward. I thank him for being a true partner. Together, we will make America great and healthy again!”
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Friday on X, formerly Twitter: “Thank you @WVGovernor Morrisey and legislators for leading the nation in passing a bill to clean up our food supply and submitting a waiver to remove soda from SNAP. I commend the 24 states pushing MAHA bills to clean up our food system, improve school lunches, submit waivers to SNAP, and promote patient choice.
“This state leadership adds leverage to the Trump administration’s drive to Make America Healthy Again. I urge every Governor to follow West Virginia’s lead and submit a waiver to the USDA to remove soda from SNAP. If there’s one thing we can agree on, it should be eliminating taxpayer-funded soda subsidies for lower income kids.”
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, Friday on X: “The Make America Healthy Again movement starts right here in West Virginia. We’re cleaning up our foods, promoting exercise, and putting nutrition back into SNAP. I’m committed to @SecKennedy’s vision for America and raising health standards here in the Mountain State.”
What Happens Next
On Friday, Morrisey officially announced the signing of a state bill banning certain synthetic food dyes in school lunches. It will take effect in August.
Similar SNAP waivers to West Virginia’s would have to go through the United States Department of Agriculture, which administers SNAP benefits, rather than the HHS.
Ten states are considering legislation that would prohibit the use of SNAP funds to purchase junk food. SNAP benefits can currently be used to buy any food product except alcohol, tobacco and hot foods. If passed, these bills could change benefits for millions of Americans.
Update 3/28/25, 3:43 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
