Democrat Fetterman says RFK Jr. confirmation as HHS secretary ‘not a slam dunk’
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., recently shared his thoughts on the confirmation process of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Fetterman emphasized that the confirmation is “not a slam dunk,” indicating that there are still uncertainties surrounding Kennedy’s nomination.
During an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Fetterman revealed that he had met with Kennedy twice in his office to gain a better understanding of the nominee. He stressed the importance of approaching the decision with an open mind and conducting a thorough assessment of Kennedy’s background before reaching a conclusion.
Fetterman acknowledged that the confirmation process has been challenging, with discussions and deliberations taking place among colleagues on both sides of the aisle. He emphasized the need to treat all nominees with respect and to carefully consider their qualifications and responses during the confirmation hearings.
Kennedy, a former Democrat who ran as an Independent in the presidential campaign before ultimately supporting President Trump, faced rigorous questioning from Senate committees regarding his views on vaccines, abortion, Medicaid, and other critical issues. Despite surviving the grueling hearings, Kennedy still faces crucial committee and full Senate confirmation votes to secure his position as the head of 18 federal agencies overseeing food and health matters.
Some of the toughest questions directed at Kennedy came from Democrats, particularly regarding his stance on vaccines and public health policies. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy expressed concerns about Kennedy’s past statements undermining confidence in vaccines and questioned his ability to support the best public health practices. However, Kennedy has outlined his vision to promote a healthy lifestyle and address the root causes of chronic diseases if confirmed as the HHS Secretary.
Despite past controversies surrounding Kennedy’s views on vaccines and abortion, some Republican senators, including Lindsey Graham, have expressed their support for his nomination. Graham highlighted Kennedy’s commitment to implementing President Trump’s pro-life agenda and pledged to monitor his actions closely if confirmed.
As the confirmation process for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues, Sen. John Fetterman and other lawmakers are carefully weighing their decisions based on the nominee’s qualifications and responses during the hearings. The outcome of the confirmation votes will ultimately determine Kennedy’s fate as the potential leader of key health agencies in the federal government.
