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3mo ago

RFK Jr.'s HHS Nomination Advances to Senate Floor Following Divisive Committee Vote

The Senate Finance Committee approved the controversial nominee along party lines after securing key commitments from the Trump administration.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., right, President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, talks with Committee Chairman Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., following his testimony during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing for his pending confirmation on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Washington.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. President Trump’s nominee to be secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies before a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 30, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo

Overview

  • Senator Bill Cassidy provided the decisive vote to advance Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as Health and Human Services Secretary, citing assurances from Kennedy and the Trump administration.
  • Kennedy's nomination has faced intense criticism due to his history of promoting debunked vaccine theories and his limited experience managing large-scale government operations.
  • Cassidy, a physician and vaccine advocate, emphasized commitments from Kennedy to maintain existing CDC vaccine guidelines and avoid creating parallel safety monitoring systems.
  • Republican senators faced significant pressure from the White House and allies such as Elon Musk to support Kennedy's confirmation, with some expressing reservations about his qualifications and past statements.
  • The full Senate is expected to vote on the nomination soon, with Kennedy needing to retain near-unanimous Republican support to secure confirmation.