Senate Approves RFK Jr. as New Health & Human Services Secretary

The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the new head of the Health and Human Services Department on Thursday, following a closely contested vote of 52-48. This decision continues the trend of President Donald Trump’s controversial cabinet choices, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell aligning with all Senate Democrats in opposition to Kennedy.

Kennedy, a prominent environmental lawyer and son of the late Robert F. Kennedy, has faced considerable scrutiny for his past comments about vaccines. As a founder of the vaccine skeptical group Children’s Health Defense, Kennedy’s history prompted concerns among lawmakers regarding his potential stance on vaccine safety and effectiveness. Although he stepped down from the organization in 2023, many remained uneasy about his influence in such a critical role.

During his nomination hearing earlier this year, Kennedy was pressed by Democrats to clarify his views on vaccines and illnesses such as Lyme disease and polio. Although he described himself as not being anti-vaccine, he expressed support for measles and polio immunizations, assuring senators that he would not hinder vaccine uptake if confirmed.

Kennedy dismissed claims of being a conspiracy theorist, referring to the label as derogatory and attributing it to his inquiries into the practices of powerful entities. Despite apprehensions regarding his approach to public health, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski announced her support for his nomination, suggesting that Kennedy’s focus on chronic health conditions aligns with concerns shared by her constituents.

Murkowski noted her reservations about Kennedy’s earlier statements on vaccines but highlighted his commitments to work with Congress on science-based vaccine recommendations. His past assertions questioning vaccine safety have sparked significant debate; during a podcast in 2023, he stated that no vaccines are entirely “safe and effective,” a remark he later claimed was misinterpreted.

Despite these controversies, Kennedy’s confirmation follows a pattern observed with other Trump nominees. Senators previously overcame bipartisan skepticism to approve Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence and Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense, showcasing a tendency to unify support for controversial figures within the administration.