RFK Jr. nears confirmation as Health Secretary role under Trump's Administration after senate party-line vote
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced many questions during his Health Secretary nomination.
The Senate Finance Committee voted today to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr, President Trump’s controversial nominee as Head of the Department of Health and Human Services
By a 14-13 vote, the committee voted to advance Kennedy, who has faced intense scrutiny because of his previous anti-vaccine statements which led to many to question how would he manage the Health and Human Services Department.
The key swing vote was up to Louisiana Republican and longtime physician Sen. Bill Cassidy, who last week expressed deep concerns over Kennedy’s past statements regarding vaccines; including saying on a 2023 podcast that "no vaccine is safe and effective”.
It was a high-stakes vote for Kennedy, as it would have taken just one Republican to oppose him for his nomination to be potentially sunk. However, Cassidy voted on Tuesday to move forward with Kennedy's nomination.
Bill Cassidy changed his mind over RFK Jr.
Even though Cassidy told Kennedy he was "struggling" with his nomination, after a conversation between the two of them over the weekend, he ultimately voted in Kennedy's favor.
Bill Cassidy is the Republican Senator of Louisiana. Photo: NBC News
On X, Cassidy later defended his decision saying that “after 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”.
Cassidy, who’s up for reelection in 2026, then thanked vice president J.D. Vance for his honest counsel.
Who is Robert F. Kennedy Jr?
Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. also known as RFK Jr. (born January 17, 1954) is son of U.S. attorney general and senator Robert F. Kennedy and a nephew of U.S. president John F. Kennedy and Senator Ted Kennedy.
He first ran as a Democratic candidate and later in 2024 as an independent candidate in the “We The People” political party in the for the United States presidential election, then withdrew from the race and endorsed Donald Trump.
Robert F. Kennedy is being questioned over his anti - vaccine views. Photo: The New York Times
Kennedy’s name, rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic because of his strident opposition to vaccines, claiming that childhood immunizations are linked to autism. However, he has denied on several occasions that he is anti-vaccination and says he had his own children immunized.
He has also adopted positions with popular support, criticizing the use of food additives and urging that the power of big pharma be curbed.