In a narrowly divided vote, the U.S. Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
According to the Daily Wire, the GOP-led Senate took this step despite Kennedy Jr.'s controversial public health positions and his recent endorsement of President Donald Trump.
The result of Thursday's Senate vote was 52-48, approving Kennedy Jr. for one of the pivotal roles in the Trump administration. The debate leading up to the confirmation was intense, focusing heavily on his views on vaccination and public health policy.
The majority of Republican senators backed Kennedy Jr., with the notable exception of Sen. Mitch McConnell from Kentucky. McConnell's opposition stemmed from personal implications, having battled Polio himself; he raised concerns about Kennedy Jr.'s previous anti-vaccine statements.
Conversely, all Democratic senators and the two independents aligning with them voted against Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation. This opposition underscores the polarizing nature of his candidacy, given his past public stances on crucial health issues.
Kennedy Jr., a member of the prominent Kennedy family, had a varied political journey before this point. Initially a Democratic contender in the 2024 presidential race, he later ran as an independent before endorsing Donald Trump, which was a pivotal moment in his political career.
Before his nomination by President Trump in November, Kennedy Jr. was known for his critical views on the vaccine industry, which he describes as being more pro-safety than outright anti-vaccine. His stance has caused division, particularly in the health community, about his suitability to lead a department as crucial as Health and Human Services.
During the nomination process, Trump highlighted Kennedy's focus on challenging the "industrial food complex" and pharmaceutical industries, praising his vision to restore honesty and scientific integrity in health agencies. "The safety and health of all Americans is the most important role of any administration," Trump said, underscoring Kennedy's commitment to comprehensive public health reform. Kennedy Jr. has promised to divest from his financial interests related to vaccine litigation, transferring these interests to his son to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
The nomination faced a critical moment in the Senate committee, narrowly advancing with a 14-13 vote after Sen. Bill Cassidy from Louisiana decided to support Kennedy Jr. Cassidy mentioned receiving serious commitments from the administration, particularly concerning healthy food initiatives and pro-American policies, which influenced his vote. "I want to thank [Vice President JD Vance] specifically for his honest counsel," said Cassidy, highlighting the collaborative effort to secure his vote.
Former Vice President Mike Pence’s group, Advancing American Freedom, actively lobbied against Kennedy's confirmation, citing his previous pro-abortion views as conflicting with their agenda.
Despite these controversies, key figures such as Sen. Lisa Murkowski from Alaska decided to back Kennedy Jr. after he assured transparent, evidence-based vaccine policies. Murkowski stressed the importance of these commitments: "Kennedy Jr. made numerous pledges to work with Congress to ensure public access to information and to base vaccine recommendations on sound, scientific data," she remarked.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was particularly vocal about his concerns. He criticized Kennedy Jr.'s background as a vaccine skeptic, branding him a risk to American public health. "RFK Jr. has actively fought to undermine public health, putting every American in danger," Schumer expressed, underscoring the contentious nature of this appointment.
The confirmation of Kennedy Jr. aligns with a broader pattern of narrow confirmations under Trump's second term, including Tulsi Gabbard's appointment as Director of National Intelligence. These appointments suggest a strategic, albeit controversial, direction in Trump’s cabinet choices.
The approval process for Kennedy Jr., marked by division and debate, reflects the ongoing polarization within American politics, especially concerning public health policy in the era of misinformation and divergent scientific beliefs.