Overview

• More than 80 organizations, including major public health and civil rights groups, have urged senators to reject Kennedy's nomination, citing his history of spreading vaccine misinformation.
• Kennedy disclosed he will continue earning referral fees from lawsuits against Merck's Gardasil vaccine, raising concerns about conflicts of interest as he seeks to oversee agencies regulating pharmaceuticals.
• Kennedy has pledged to divest from cases involving the U.S. government and from investments in biotech and healthcare companies if confirmed as HHS Secretary.
• Critics from both political parties, including a group founded by former Vice President Pence, have highlighted Kennedy's anti-vaccine rhetoric and past support for abortion rights as disqualifying factors.
• The Senate Finance Committee has scheduled Kennedy's confirmation hearing for January 29, with his narrow path to approval hinging on Republican unity and Democratic opposition.