Senate confirms RFK Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary
CNN
The Senate voted on Thursday to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Health and Human Services secretary, a victory for President Donald Trump after Kennedy faced intense scrutiny over his controversial views on vaccines and public health policy.
The Senate voted on Thursday to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Health and Human Services secretary, a victory for President Donald Trump after Kennedy faced intense scrutiny over his controversial views on vaccines and public health policy. The 52-48 vote was largely along party lines, though Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky once again joined with Democrats to oppose the nomination. McConnell has now voted against three of Trump’s Cabinet nominees, more than any other Republican senator. The confirmation vote highlights the extent of Trump’s influence over the Senate GOP majority, as a slate of contentious nominees who faced questions over whether they could be confirmed – including Kennedy, Pete Hegseth as defense secretary and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence – have been approved by Senate Republicans for top administration posts. McConnell, who also opposed the confirmations of Hegseth and Gabbard, has undergone an evolution in his party, moving from establishment leader to a key swing vote. McConnell has had a strained relationship with Trump and others in the MAGA sphere for years, in part due to his opposition to the Republican party’s growing isolationist streak. McConnell cited his experience as a survivor of childhood polio in a statement explaining his opposition to Kennedy. “This Administration – led by the same President who delivered a medical miracle with Project Warp Speed – deserves a leader who is willing to acknowledge without qualification the efficacy of life-saving vaccines and who can demonstrate an understanding of basic elements of the U.S. healthcare system,” McConnell said. “Mr. Kennedy failed to prove he is the best possible person to lead America’s largest health agency.”
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