RFK Jr.'s nomination for health secretary advances in Senate, teeing up final vote

Washington — The Senate voted to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, teeing up a final vote on his confirmation later this week. 

In a 53 to 47 vote, the Senate voted to clear the final procedural hurdle to Kennedy's nomination. The vote fell along party lines.

Kennedy's path to confirmation was once considered among the most fragile of President Trump's nominees. The 71-year-old faced scrutiny from Democrats and Republicans alike in recent weeks, including during a pair of fiery hearings last month, where he was grilled over his controversial views on vaccines and abortion.