Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) took a major step forward Tuesday after the Senate Finance Committee approved his nomination on partisan lines in a 14-13 tally. The committee’s vote sets the stage for a final confirmation vote on the Senate floor, which could come as early as next week.
The committee’s approval wasn’t unanimous, with every Democrat opposing Kennedy’s nomination. But despite fierce opposition from the political establishment, the vote marks a significant victory for those who see him as a needed disruptor in Washington’s bureaucratic health machine.
Kennedy, the son of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, has long been a controversial figure due to his outspoken views on vaccines and public health. His critics accuse him of spreading dangerous misinformation, particularly his stance against vaccine mandates and his vocal skepticism of pharmaceutical companies.
His most notable spat with a Democratic official occurred during his confirmation hearing, when Senator Elizabeth Warren, a fierce opponent of his nomination, screamed loudly about his opposition to pharmaceutical companies.
“Look, no one should be fooled here,” Warren ranted. “As Secretary of HHS, Robert Kennedy will have the