Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to function secretary of Well being and Human Providers was formally confirmed by the Senate on Thursday.
The ultimate vote was 52 to 48.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, who overcame polio at a younger age, was the only Republican to oppose Kennedy and vote no. Democrats had been unanimous of their opposition to Kennedy.
Kennedy’s affirmation comes after months of controversy and debate, largely centered on his previous feedback casting doubt on the security and efficacy of vaccines.
An environmental lawyer with no expertise working in well being administration or drugs, Kennedy will now oversee a sprawling community of companies that present well being protection to thousands and thousands of People, regulate the meals trade and reply to international well being threats.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Well being and Human Providers, testifies earlier than a Senate Finance Committee affirmation listening to on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 29, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
President Donald Trump embraced Kennedy on the marketing campaign path after the scion of America’s most well-known Democratic dynasty dropped his personal unbiased bid for president and endorsed Trump.
Shortly after the election, Trump tapped Kennedy to steer HHS and promised to let him “go wild” on well being.
Throughout his affirmation hearings, Kennedy was grilled on his previous claims about vaccinations, together with his unfounded claims linking them to autism.
In a shift from earlier statements, Kennedy voiced assist for polio and measles immunizations. He informed lawmakers he was not “anti-vaccine” however reasonably “pro-safety.” Although, he nonetheless refused to say that vaccines weren’t linked to autism or that COVID-19 vaccines saved lives.
However the feedback appeared sufficient for some skeptical Republican senators to return to his aspect. Trump and Vice President JD Vance additionally known as senators to rally assist for Kennedy.
Republican Sen. Invoice Cassidy, a longtime doctor and vaccine advocate who brazenly struggled with Kennedy’s nomination, voted to report his nomination out of committee and to the Senate flooring.
Cassidy mentioned he acquired a number of commitments from Kennedy, together with conferences a number of instances a month and advance discover to Congress if HHS plans to hunt any modifications to vaccine packages.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, thought of one other swing vote, earlier this week introduced she’d vote for Kennedy after elevating considerations concerning the Trump administration’s directive for the Nationwide Institutes of Well being to chop assist for well being analysis at universities. (The coverage has been briefly blocked by a federal decide).
“He mentioned he would re-examine them and appeared to grasp,” Collins informed reporters on the Capitol.