Washington – On Tuesday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental attorney known for his controversial stance on public health, will learn if he has successfully navigated the initial phase of his nomination for the nation’s health secretary position, as the Senate Finance Committee prepares to cast their vote.
While Democrats are raising alarms about Kennedy’s possible financial gains through his anti-vaccine advocacy and lawsuits, Republicans seem to be increasingly supportive of his nomination, reflecting a notable divide in party lines. Notably, North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican who had previously been viewed as a potential dissenting vote, expressed his support for Kennedy on Monday.
To secure his position, Kennedy requires backing from nearly all Republican senators if the Democrats stand united against him, making the critical vote of Republican Senator Bill Cassidy from Louisiana particularly significant. Cassidy, a medical doctor and a member of the finance committee, had previously pressed Kennedy to denounce debunked claims linking vaccines to autism during the hearings last week, illustrating his reservations. He concluded the session by stating he was “struggling” with his decision regarding the vote.
“Your history of undermining trust in vaccines through unfounded claims causes me concern,” Cassidy remarked to Kennedy. Over the weekend, Cassidy described their discussions as “very cordial” but acknowledged he was still deliberating how to proceed with his vote.
Additionally, Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky are considered potential opposition votes. All three previously opposed President Trump’s defense nominee and have voiced concerns regarding Kennedy’s anti-vaccine activities. In a recent interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” McConnell refrained from stating his position on Kennedy but emphasized the importance of vaccines as a public health measure.
Democratic senators remain vigilant about Kennedy’s nomination, emphasizing the potential for him to earn from changes to vaccine policies or from weakening lawsuit protections for vaccine manufacturers. Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Ron Wyden of Oregon raised concerns in a letter, suggesting that decisions made under Kennedy as Health Secretary could lead to substantial financial benefits for his family.
Kennedy responded by indicating that he intends to pass referral fees from lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers to his son, specifically mentioning a case against Merck. He shared that his law practice has referred numerous clients to a firm working on a lawsuit against Merck regarding the Gardasil vaccine, which has netted him $2.5 million over the last three years.
Should he be confirmed, Kennedy will manage public health initiatives, vaccination guidelines, and various health campaigns within the $1.7 trillion Department of Health and Human Services, an agency that oversees food safety, hospital inspections, health insurance for millions, and research into various diseases.
In anticipation of the vote, Kennedy’s supporters are attempting to sway a Democratic senator or two and are notably targeting Cory Booker of New Jersey, who has acknowledged Kennedy’s efforts toward improving food health. Additionally, they have engaged Pennsylvania’s Senator John Fetterman regarding his stance, although he has described the nomination process as “challenging.”
The upcoming vote is just the beginning, as the Senate Finance Committee, which includes 25 senators, will determine whether to recommend Kennedy for a full Senate vote. This committee decision will serve as a precursor for the broader Senate vote involving all 100 senators.
Although a negative outcome from the committee is not entirely out of the question, it remains improbable. Senate Majority Leader John Thune can still push forward for a floor vote even if the committee opts against Kennedy’s nomination. Furthermore, even if Kennedy gains support from the committee, he still may need to convince Collins, Murkowski, and McConnell to secure his confirmation. It’s also possible for Cassidy to approve him in committee yet oppose him later on for the final vote.
Kennedy, who previously identified as a Democrat, stepped down from his presidential candidacy last year to back Trump in exchange for a notable role within his administration. Together, they have cultivated a unique coalition that attracts both conservative vaccine skeptics and liberal health advocates aiming to promote better nutrition, branding their initiative as “Make America Healthy Again.”
