In Washington, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his controversial stance as an environmental lawyer and public health critic, has successfully surpassed an important milestone on his journey to potentially become the nation’s leading health official. This comes after the Senate finance committee voted in favor of his nomination, allowing it to move forward for a full Senate vote.
The vote saw united support from Republican members, while all Democrats expressed opposition. Kennedy’s nomination now faces scrutiny from the complete Senate, particularly regarding his history of casting doubt on vaccine safety and concerns related to his potential financial gain from legal actions against pharmaceutical companies.
To secure the role of Secretary of Health and Human Services, which oversees a budget of $1.7 trillion, Kennedy will need to gain the backing of most Republican senators, especially if Democrats maintain a unified front against him. Among the Republicans, Senator Bill Cassidy from Louisiana, who also holds a medical degree and serves on the finance committee, supported Kennedy’s advancement. However, during his recent confirmation hearings, Cassidy questioned Kennedy about his views on vaccines, particularly urging him to dismiss the debunked theory linking vaccines to autism. Ultimately, Cassidy revealed his concern about Kennedy’s past actions that have undermined public confidence in vaccinations.
Additional Republican senators such as Susan Collins from Maine, Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, and Mitch McConnell from Kentucky may potentially vote against Kennedy. Their previous votes against former President Donald Trump’s defense secretary nominee and their stated worries regarding Kennedy’s anti-vaccine positions have raised doubts.
On a recent episode of CBS’s “60 Minutes,” McConnell highlighted the critical nature of vaccines but refrained from disclosing his stance on Kennedy’s nomination. Meanwhile, Democratic senators are voicing significant concerns about the implications of Kennedy’s potential appointment, particularly regarding conflicts of interest. They assert that there is a risk Kennedy could profit from decisions related to vaccine policies if he were to be confirmed as health secretary.
In a letter addressed to Kennedy over the weekend, Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden pointed to the possibility that his influence on vaccine-related decisions could lead to considerable financial benefits for his family. Kennedy has claimed he intends to pass on any referral fees earned from cases against vaccine manufacturers to his son, emphasizing his long-standing advocacy against companies like Merck, particularly concerning the Gardasil vaccine designed to prevent cervical cancer. He reported earning a substantial sum of $2.5 million from these referrals over the past three years.
As Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kennedy would be responsible for overseeing vaccination recommendations, health campaigns, and a variety of public health matters, including food safety inspections and health insurance programs that serve millions of Americans.
Kennedy, who previously identified as a Democrat, made headlines during his presidential campaign but later withdrew to support Trump, hoping to secure a significant position within his administration. This partnership has given rise to a unique coalition that includes both conservatives skeptical of vaccines and liberals seeking healthier food policies, with Kennedy and Trump coining the initiative as “Make America Healthy Again.”
