Senate Confirms Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary
The 52-48 vote was almost entirely along party lines. Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican and childhood polio survivor, was the only member of his party to oppose Kennedy’s nomination.
In a closely divided vote on Thursday, the Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, placing the outspoken vaccine skeptic at the helm of one of the nation’s largest federal agencies. With a $1.7 trillion budget, Kennedy will oversee public health initiatives, vaccine recommendations, food safety policies, and health insurance programs affecting nearly half of the U.S. population.
The 52-48 vote was almost entirely along party lines. Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican and childhood polio survivor, was the only member of his party to oppose Kennedy’s nomination, joining all Senate Democrats in voting against confirmation. Despite initial hesitations, most Republicans ultimately backed President Donald Trump’s nominee. The GOP appeared aligned with Kennedy’s goal of shifting public health priorities toward combating chronic diseases like obesity.
Kennedy, 71, has long been a polarizing figure. Known for his advocacy against certain chemicals, food additives, and vaccines, he has cultivated a substantial following with his often populist and controversial views. His influence grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he spearheaded efforts to challenge vaccine mandates and question the credibility of federal health agencies. Through his nonprofit organization, Kennedy led lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers and launched campaigns aimed at eroding public trust in vaccines and government health authorities.
Despite his contentious views, Kennedy assured lawmakers he could restore public trust in agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Institutes of Health (NIH).
"I am uniquely positioned to heal the relationship between the American public and our public health institutions," Kennedy stated during his confirmation hearing.
In recent weeks, key Republican senators expressed cautious optimism about Kennedy’s leadership. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina said he hoped Kennedy would take bold steps to reduce health care costs and improve public health. However, Kennedy’s confirmation required significant reassurances. Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician and leading member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, sought guarantees that Kennedy would maintain existing vaccine recommendations without alterations.
During the confirmation process, Democratic lawmakers pressed Kennedy to reject widely debunked claims linking vaccines to autism. Concerns were also raised about his financial ties to lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers. According to Senate disclosures, Kennedy received over $850,000 last year from referring clients to a law firm involved in lawsuits targeting the makers of Gardasil, an HPV vaccine. In response, Kennedy pledged to redirect future referral fees to his son if confirmed as health secretary.
Kennedy’s confirmation comes at a tumultuous time for federal health agencies. The NIH recently announced plans to cap billions in research funding for universities working on treatments for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. Meanwhile, a broader government restructuring spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk has left many federal employees uncertain about their roles and funding futures.
Kennedy has already signaled his intention to pursue major staffing changes within federal health agencies. Last year, he proposed firing hundreds of NIH employees as part of an effort to overhaul the organization, which is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the country.
As he takes the reins at HHS, Kennedy’s leadership is certain to spark debate and scrutiny. Whether he can balance his outspoken views with the demands of public service remains to be seen.