The Republican-led US Senate Finance Committee has advanced President Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary. In a 14-13 vote along strict party lines, the committee on Tuesday approved Kennedy’s nomination, moving it forward for a full Senate vote that could take place later this week.
Kennedy’s nomination has been one of the most controversial of President Donald Trump’s recent appointments. A long-time critic of vaccines, Kennedy has been accused of promoting misinformation that undermines trust in public health programs.
During two days of contentious hearings, Democratic senators grilled him over his alleged financial ties to the anti-vaccine movement and his history of spreading conspiracy theories about life saving medicines. Kennedy, however, rejected these claims, insisting that his stance is about transparency and accountability in healthcare.
If confirmed, Kennedy will take charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, overseeing a budget exceeding $3 trillion. The agency plays a crucial role in the nation’s healthcare system, managing programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, which provide coverage to over 140 million Americans, as well as overseeing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
