Robert F. Kennedy Jr. advances in bid to become HHS Secretary

USA – Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has cleared a significant hurdle in his path to becoming the next U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) after receiving approval from the Senate Finance Committee.

The vote, which was narrowly divided at 14 to 13, was split along party lines. Republicans supported his nomination, praising his determination to reform the U.S. healthcare system, while Democrats expressed concerns, particularly over his past stance on vaccines.

One key factor in Kennedy’s favor was the support of Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a gastroenterologist, who had previously expressed reservations about Kennedy’s ability to lead the agency, which oversees a US $1.7 trillion budget and plays a crucial role in public health.

The HHS supervises major institutions such as the FDA, CDC, NIH, and CMS. However, Cassidy stated after the vote that he received assurances from Kennedy that he would not undermine immunization programs or remove critical statements on the CDC website regarding vaccine safety.

Cassidy expressed optimism about working together on shared goals, including promoting healthy foods and a pro-American agenda.

“With the serious commitments I’ve received from the administration and the opportunity to make progress on the issues we agree on, like healthy foods and a pro-American agenda, I will vote yes,” Cassidy said on social media.

With the Senate Finance Committee’s approval, Kennedy’s nomination will now proceed to the Senate floor for a full vote.

If the vote follows party lines, Kennedy is likely to be confirmed. However, he could still face a challenge if all Democrats and three Republicans vote against him, though this outcome now seems unlikely.

Kennedy’s political career has been marked by controversy, particularly due to his outspoken views on vaccine safety, which have frequently put him at odds with mainstream scientific and political circles.

Despite this, he has been a vocal advocate for healthcare reform under the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) banner, promoting initiatives such as limiting processed foods and ensuring affordable healthcare for Americans.

He has also emphasized that his concerns about vaccines stem from a desire to ensure their safety, rejecting accusations that he is a conspiracy theorist.

In addition to his stance on vaccines, Kennedy has supported efforts to reduce prescription drug prices and implement preventive care programs.

Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo commended Kennedy’s career efforts, noting that he has fought against America’s chronic illness epidemic and advocated for greater transparency in healthcare for both patients and taxpayers.

During confirmation hearings, however, Kennedy faced scrutiny from senior Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren, who questioned him about his involvement in legal actions against pharmaceutical companies.

Specifically, Warren raised concerns about Kennedy receiving US $2.5 million in referral fees from a legal firm handling lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies, including ongoing litigation against MSD over its Gardasil vaccine.

Warren pressed Kennedy to commit to not receiving compensation from lawsuits involving pharmaceutical companies during his tenure as HHS Secretary, but Kennedy declined to make such a pledge.

He later stated that any fees from the Gardasil litigation would be diverted to his adult son, though Warren argued this measure did not sufficiently address the potential conflict of interest.