Kennedy’s Health Chief Nomination Advances in Senate “`

His confirmation now awaits a full Senate vote, where Republicans hold the majority.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services advanced after a 14-13 Senate Finance Committee vote, with unanimous Republican support and Democratic opposition.

Kennedy, 71, a prominent environmental lawyer and vocal vaccine critic, faced intense scrutiny during his confirmation hearings. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a physician and Senate Health Committee chair, initially voiced concerns about Kennedy’s views on vaccines but ultimately voted in favor following assurances from Kennedy and the administration regarding their “commitment to protecting the public health benefit of vaccination.”

Democrats, spearheaded by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), strongly opposed the nomination, citing anxieties about Kennedy’s stance. Wyden cautioned that Kennedy’s appointment could undermine public confidence in vaccines and public health initiatives. “Mr. Kennedy has given us no reason to believe he will be anything other than a rubber stamp for plans to cut Medicaid and deny healthcare to the American people,” Wyden asserted.

The full Senate, currently controlled by Republicans, is expected to vote on Kennedy’s nomination in the coming days or next week. A simple majority is needed for confirmation.

President Donald Trump nominated Kennedy following his reelection last November. Confirmation would place Kennedy at the helm of a substantial budget and key agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other affiliated agencies.

Shortly before the committee vote, Trump publicly endorsed his nominee on Truth Social. “Twenty years ago, autism in children was 1 in 10,000. NOW IT’S 1 in 34. WOW! Something’s really wrong. We need BOBBY!!! Thank You! DJT,” the president posted.

Kennedy, the son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, was a prominent critic of the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 response, including lockdowns and vaccine deployment.