The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Health and Human Services on Thursday, putting the longtime vaccine skeptic in charge of $1.7 trillion in federal health spending, vaccine recommendations, and food safety regulations. His appointment also gives him oversight of health insurance programs covering nearly half the U.S. population.
Despite initial concerns over Kennedy’s controversial stance on vaccines, Republicans ultimately rallied behind Trump’s pick, voting 52-48 in favor of his confirmation. The lone Republican dissenter was Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, who also voted against Trump’s choices for defense secretary and director of national intelligence. Every Democrat opposed Kennedy’s nomination.
Pushing Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” Agenda
Kennedy, 71, has been a national figure since childhood due to his famous family and their well-documented tragedies. He has built a strong following with his outspoken views on public health, chemicals, and vaccines—many of which have been widely criticized.
His influence surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when his nonprofit group sued vaccine manufacturers and ran social media campaigns that fueled skepticism about vaccines and the government agencies that promote them.
With Trump’s backing, Kennedy has vowed to rebuild trust in public health institutions, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health. His focus aligns with Trump’s broader push to shift attention toward chronic diseases like obesity rather than government-led vaccination campaigns.
Senate Battle Over Vaccine Policies
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina expressed hope that Kennedy would make major changes in health care policy, saying he wanted him to “go wild” in slashing costs and improving Americans’ health. However, Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician and chair of the Senate Health Committee, required Kennedy to pledge he would not alter existing vaccine recommendations before agreeing to support him.
During confirmation hearings, Democrats pressed Kennedy to reject the long-debunked theory linking vaccines to autism. They also raised concerns over his financial ties to lawsuits against vaccine makers. Last year, Kennedy earned over $850,000 from referring clients to a law firm suing the makers of Gardasil, a vaccine protecting against cervical cancer. Under pressure, he pledged to redirect any future fees to his son.
Overhaul of Public Health Funding Begins
Kennedy takes charge of the agency amid a radical restructuring of the federal government, led by billionaire Elon Musk. The shake-up has temporarily cut billions in public health funding, leaving thousands of government workers uncertain about their jobs.
On Friday, the NIH announced it would cap billions in research grants to universities and cancer centers developing treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s and cancer. Kennedy has also signaled plans for a sweeping purge of leadership at the NIH, FDA, and CDC. Last year, he promised to fire 600 employees from the NIH, which is the country’s largest funder of biomedical research.
His confirmation marks a dramatic shift in U.S. health policy, setting the stage for an unprecedented battle over the future of public health, medical research, and vaccine regulations.
