Senate confirms Robert F Kennedy Jr. to serve as Trump’s Health secretary
The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary in President Donald Trump’s cabinet in a nearly party-line vote. Kennedy, a well-known vaccine skeptic and environmental crusader, received the necessary majority to secure his confirmation.
The confirmation process was not without controversy, as Kennedy faced intense scrutiny during back-to-back Senate hearings. Democrats raised concerns about his past comments linking vaccines to autism and his role as chair of Children’s Health Defense, a nonprofit organization that has advocated against vaccines.
Despite the opposition, Kennedy managed to secure support from key Republican senators, including Sen. Bill Cassidy, who ultimately endorsed his nomination. Cassidy highlighted Kennedy’s commitments to regular hearings, meetings, and transparency in vaccine safety reviews as reasons for his support.
Other Republican senators, such as Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, also announced their support for Kennedy, citing his promises to base vaccine recommendations on evidence-based research. Even former Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, a staunch advocate for vaccines, voted to advance Kennedy’s nomination.
Kennedy, who has been vocal about his views on Big Pharma and the food industry, has pledged to focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle and addressing chronic diseases as part of his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign. Despite his previous affiliation with the Democratic Party, Kennedy switched to an independent run for the White House and eventually endorsed Trump.
With his confirmation as HHS secretary, Kennedy aims to bring about significant changes in the nation’s health policies, including overhauling dietary guidelines and combatting chronic diseases. His appointment comes at a crucial time as the country grapples with public health challenges, and Kennedy is poised to lead the agency in addressing these pressing issues.
