Republicans within the Louisiana Home stifled a proposal Wednesday that will have banned the addition of fluoride in public water programs — rejecting a burgeoning motion backed by Well being and Human Companies Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Louisiana Home Well being and Welfare Committee shot down the measure in a 4-11 vote, with six Republicans becoming a member of 5 Democrats to defeat the measure. All 4 members who voted in favor are Republicans.

The proposal would have allowed public fluoridation provided that residents petitioned for a vote of their jurisdiction and a majority of registered voters forged ballots in favor — a notably steep hurdle, notably in areas with low voter turnout.

The GOP-controlled state Senate superior Senate Invoice 2 in a 24-10 vote final month. The Louisiana Legislature’s common session runs by way of June 12, so the anti-fluoride measure might be revived.

Florida adopted a regulation this month to ban fluoride in public consuming water, turning into the second state to take action after Utah.

The U.S. has supported neighborhood water fluoridation applications for the reason that Forties, with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) deeming it a protected, cost-effective method to enhance oral well being.

However Kennedy, whom President Trump appointed to steer the nation’s well being care applications earlier this 12 months, has loudly voiced skepticism of water fluoridation regardless of objections from dentists and different well being care suppliers who argue it helps stop tooth decay.

Kennedy posted on social platform X earlier than his Senate affirmation that the Trump administration would “advise all U.S​. water systems to remove fluoride from public water.” He referred to the naturally occurring substance as “industrial waste” that causes illness, although there is no such thing as a scientific proof to again up his claims.