Senate Committee Approves RFK Jr. for Health Secretary, Full Vote Next/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Health Secretary advanced Tuesday after the Senate Finance Committee voted along party lines to send it to a full Senate vote. While Republicans backed him, Democrats opposed, citing concerns over vaccine skepticism and financial conflicts. Kennedy needs nearly full GOP support to secure confirmation.
RFK Jr. Advances to Full Senate Vote for Health Secretary Role
Quick Looks:
- Senate Finance Committee voted to advance RFK Jr.’s nomination, despite Democratic opposition.
- Republicans voted in favor, while all Democrats opposed the nomination.
- Concerns remain over Kennedy’s vaccine views and potential financial conflicts.
- GOP Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski & Mitch McConnell are undecided.
- RFK Jr. pledged to transfer his legal earnings to his son, amid scrutiny over vaccine-related lawsuits.
- If confirmed, Kennedy will oversee the $1.7 trillion Health & Human Services (HHS) agency.
Senate Committee Approves RFK Jr. for Health Secretary, Full Vote Next
Kennedy’s Nomination Moves Forward—But Final Vote Uncertain
Republicans Back RFK Jr., But Some GOP Votes Are in Question
The vote was strictly along party lines:
- Republicans voted in favor, despite lingering concerns from some GOP senators.
- Democrats unanimously opposed, citing Kennedy’s history of vaccine skepticism.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a physician, supported Kennedy but admitted struggling with the decision.
“Your past, undermining confidence in vaccines with unfounded or misleading arguments, concerns me,” Cassidy told Kennedy.
McConnell, Collins & Murkowski Could Sway the Final Outcome
To secure confirmation, Kennedy can only afford to lose three Republican votes if Democrats remain opposed.
Three key GOP senators—Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski—are undecided.
- McConnell has emphasized the importance of vaccines but has not stated how he will vote.
- Collins and Murkowski previously opposed Trump’s defense secretary, raising doubts about their support.
Democrats Warn of Potential Conflicts of Interest
Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden sent a letter questioning:
- Whether Kennedy’s vaccine policy decisions could financially benefit his family.
- His earnings from referring vaccine-related lawsuits, including a case against Merck’s HPV vaccine.
Kennedy earned $2.5 million in referral fees over three years, but pledged to give all future fees to his son if confirmed.
“It seems possible that vaccine-related decisions could result in financial compensation for your family,” Warren and Wyden warned.
Kennedy’s Role If Confirmed
If confirmed as Health Secretary, Kennedy would:
- Oversee vaccine recommendations & public health programs.
- Manage federal healthcare initiatives, including Medicare & Medicaid.
- Lead food safety & hospital regulation under the $1.7 trillion HHS budget.
Trump & Kennedy’s Unlikely Alliance
Kennedy, once a Democratic presidential candidate, dropped out to back Trump, securing his nomination for HHS Secretary.
Together, they launched “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA)—uniting:
- Conservatives opposed to vaccine mandates.
- Liberals advocating for healthier food & medicine reform.
What’s Next?
- Full Senate vote in the coming days—Kennedy needs near-total GOP support.
- Can he win over McConnell, Collins, & Murkowski?
- If rejected, Trump may need a new nominee for HHS Secretary.
For now, Kennedy has passed the first test—but the final confirmation battle awaits.
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