RFK Jr. to face key committee vote that could determine confirmation fate

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Faces Pivotal Test in Senate Committee Vote

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to face a pivotal test on Tuesday morning as the Senate Finance Committee votes on his nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The committee will meet at 10 a.m. to consider President Donald Trump’s HHS pick following his hearing last week. With a 27-member committee composed of 14 Republicans and 13 Democrats, Kennedy will need a majority of the votes to advance out of the committee.

Kennedy, Trump’s nominee for HHS, has been working hard to secure the support of key senators, particularly Republicans, as no Democrats on the committee have expressed plans to vote in his favor. He has already garnered the support of Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who have previously been hesitant. However, he still needs the crucial vote of Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a doctor who has voiced concerns over Kennedy’s stance on vaccines.

Over the weekend, Kennedy engaged in discussions with Senator Cassidy in a bid to secure his support. The details of their conversations remain undisclosed, but the outcome of their talks could determine Kennedy’s fate in the committee vote. If he fails to advance out of the committee, it is unlikely that his nomination will reach the Senate floor for a vote, making him the first Trump nominee this term to face such an obstacle.

In a parallel development, Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Tulsi Gabbard, also faces the possibility of failing to clear her respective committee on the same day. The fate of both nominees hangs in the balance as they await the committee’s decision.

Kennedy’s confirmation has been a subject of intense scrutiny, with Democrats and Republicans closely monitoring the outcome of the committee vote. The stakes are high for Kennedy, as his confirmation would mark a significant milestone in Trump’s administration. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

Julia Johnson, a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, is closely following the Senate confirmation process. Follow her reporting on Twitter at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.