The Senate approved Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services, marking a controversial victory for President Trump's pick despite widespread Democratic opposition and concerns raised by some Republicans.
The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday, ending weeks of speculation about his controversial nomination. The vote was 52 to 48, largely falling along party lines, with one Republican, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, joining Democrats in opposition. McConnell, a polio survivor, stated that Kennedy 'failed to prove he is the best possible person' for the role, citing his stance on vaccines.
Kennedy, 71, is a well-known environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist whose family holds a prominent place in Democratic politics. He is the nephew of President John F. Kennedy and the son of Robert F. Kennedy. In 2023, Kennedy launched a presidential bid, initially seeking the Democratic nomination but later switching to independent before endorsing President Trump in August.Before entering politics, Kennedy served for two decades as president of the Waterkeeper Alliance, a non-profit organization. He also founded Children's Health Defense, which has challenged vaccine requirements and approvals in court, serving as its chairman since 2016. Married to actress Cheryl Hines, Kennedy has six children. His confirmation places him at the helm of the vast HHS department, encompassing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Food and Drug Administration. Kennedy's path to confirmation was initially uncertain. Following his nomination by President Trump, who promised to let him 'go wild' on health, food, and medicine issues, Kennedy faced opposition from both sides of the aisle due to his controversial views on vaccines and abortion.Two confirmation hearings, marked by tense exchanges with several senators, failed to quell concerns about his suitability. With little Republican support for advancing his nomination out of committee, the vote hinged on a single Republican, Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who had expressed reservations about Kennedy's long-standing doubts about vaccines. In a surprise move just before the committee vote, Cassidy announced his support for Kennedy, citing 'serious commitments' received from the administration. He later stated that Kennedy and the administration had agreed to an 'unprecedentedly close collaborative working relationship,' promising frequent communication. After Kennedy's nomination cleared the committee, Republican opposition in the full Senate appeared to wane. Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, known for opposing some of the president's nominees, announced their support for Kennedy's confirmation. On Wednesday, all Republicans voted to advance his nomination in a procedural vote that fell along party lines. The final vote to confirm Kennedy as HHS secretary came after weeks of pushback from Democrats, who warned of the potential impact on the health system.Senate Democrats spent hours on the Senate floor expressing their opposition to his confirmation. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, which voted on advancing Kennedy's nomination, labeled him an 'anti-vaccine crusader' and the 'least qualified nominee to ever be nominated for a position of this importance.' Wyden urged his colleagues across the aisle to reconsider, stating that if they did not, their legacy would be tarnished by setbacks in science that would reverberate through America for decades. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated his pride in the unified Democratic opposition to Kennedy's nomination, arguing that if the Senate held a secret ballot vote, Kennedy would fall far short of confirmation. He asserted that many, if not most, Republicans would vote against him, but sadly, they were being pressured by Donald Trump and would ultimately vote to confirm Kennedy despite their reservations.
Robert F Kennedy Jr. HHS Secretary Senate Confirmation Donald Trump Vaccines Health Policy Democratic Opposition Republican Support
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