Among President Donald Trump’s most divisive cabinet selections, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been sworn in as the next US Health and Human Services Secretary. The former presidential contender will now manage important health agencies, managing approximately 80,000 staff and a trillion-dollar budget. Legislators on both sides of the spectrum had questioned his unfounded medical assertions and vaccine mistrust. The appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has generated a lot of discussion, particularly with relation to his earlier remarks about vaccinations and false information about health.
How was Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed by the Senate?
Kennedy Jr. was confirmed on Thursday by a 52-48 vote. Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to vote against Kennedy; no Democrats backed him. Kennedy is the latest cabinet appointee as the Trump aims to drastically reform practically every level of government. As they rush to round out the president’s cabinet by approving his remaining nominations, the Senate is working late evenings and early mornings. Lawmakers also approved Brooke Rollins as head of the Department of Agriculture by a vote of 72-28.
What is the scope of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s responsibility?
The second contentious cabinet nominee confirmed this week is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who had his swearing-in ceremony in the Oval Office. Tulsi Gabbard was confirmed as the director of National Intelligence in a close Senate vote on Wednesday. Kennedy will now supervise organisations like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. He will also be entrusted with managing the US health industry, including food safety, drugs, public health, and immunizations.
Why was the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr controversial?
Kennedy embraced Trump but ran for the White House in 2024 as an independent dropped out. The president’s decision to choose Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to oversee the federal health agency sparked concern from numerous Republicans. Many questioned Kennedy’s past remarks on vaccinations, his relationships to organizations advocating dubious medical claims, and his opinions on abortion. Kennedy started the anti-vaccine movement Children’s Health Defense, which first became well-known in the US for challenging the safety and effectiveness of childhood vaccinations and asserting the discredited theory linking the shots to autism.
What Opinions Regarding Vaccines Does Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Share?
Kennedy, the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, has refuted claims he is anti-vaccinating. His own kids are vaccinated, he noted. During his confirmation hearings, he emphasized that he just favors more thorough research and safety precautions for injections. Kennedy’s criticism of food additives and his campaign against big pharma have drawn compliments from some Republicans.
How Did Congressmen React to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Confirmation?
Legislators also questioned Kennedy on his advocacy of health false information and awareness of the US healthcare system during the sessions. Given his past comments indicating he supported abortion rights, he was pressed to clarify his position on the issue. In response, he said to legislators he agreed with Trump that “every abortion is a tragedy” and that access to abortion should be under control by particular states. This exchange garnered scrutiny from Democrats, who accused Kennedy of “selling out” his pro-choice views in order to secure President Trump’s nomination.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Confirmation Hearing: What Happened?
Shouting protestors broke off one of his hearings. Kennedy, however, also got strong support when he promised to make America healthy once more—a motto adopted by the Trump government. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s cousin Caroline Kennedy pressured US senators against him as the future Health and Human Services Secretary before of the hearing. Kennedy’s opinions on vaccines precluded him from serving as one of the top health policymakers in America, she added. Despite this, numerous Republicans who had earlier reserved their support ending up endorsing his nomination during Thursday’s vote.
How Did Key Republicans Respond to the Appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.?
A lot of people were staring at Republican Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, head of the Senate Health Committee. Although doctor Cassidy had before said he was having trouble with Kennedy’s vaccination attitude, he chose to support him. After the vote, Cassidy commented on social media, “We need to make America healthy again, and it is my expectation that Secretary Kennedy will get this done.” Others focused especially on Kennedy critic and polio survivor McConnell. McConnell had advised Kennedy not to compromise the polio vaccination. He cast his vote against confirmation.
“Individuals, parents, and families have a right to demand the best possible scientific direction on preventing and treating illness and push for a healthier nation,” McConnell said in a statement. “But Mr. Kennedy is not entitled to lead these significant initiatives based on a history of trafficking in dangerous conspiracy theories and eroding trust in public health institutions.”
Regarding Trump's Cabinet, what is next?
The Senate keeps advancing with Trump’s nominees. Once Kennedy is confirmed, legislators are supposed to forward Howard Lutnick’s nomination as the next Secretary of Commerce. This will prepare the last vote for his confirmation to take place following next week. After the nominations of Kash Patel, Trump’s divisive choice to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Kelly Loeffler, Trump’s choice for Small Business Administrator, were approved by a pivotal committee on Thursday, legislators are also expected to take up their nomination. Trump’s candidate to lead the education department, Linda McMahon, had her confirmation hearing on Thursday as well. Following the President’s Day long weekend, this sets up confirmation votes for Lutnick and Loeffler no sooner than Tuesday and puts a few cabinet nominees through a crucial obstacle.
