Robert F Kennedy Jr, one of the most controversial cabinets of President Donald Trump, swore as the next US Secretary of Health and Human Services.
The former presidential candidate will now monitor the key health agencies with about 80,000 employees and bilge budget. MPs on both sides of the passage called into question his unfounded health claims and the skepticism of the vaccine.
On Thursday, Kennedy confirmed the vote 52-48. No Democrats supported him. Former Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell was a lone Republican who voted against Kennedy.
Trump swore that Kennedy was in her oval office, marking another victory for the president because he tries to quickly process almost all levels of government.
The Senate puts late nights and early morning as they rush to round out the president’s cabinet, confirming their remaining candidates. MPs also approved Brooke Rollins as head of the Ministry of Agriculture by voting 72-28.
Kennedy is the second controversial choice of cabinet that was confirmed this week after Tulsi Gabbard, another controversial choice, was confirmed as the director of the National Intelligence Service in a narrow Senate vote on Wednesday.
It will now monitor agencies such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Medication Administration (FDA), National Health Institutes (NIH) and Medicare and Medicaid Services Centers.
Kennedy will also be charged with monitoring the US health industry that includes food safety, medication, public health and vaccination. He ran for the White House in 2024 as independent, but gave up and supported Trump.
The president’s decision to use Kennedy to run the Federal Health Agency has attracted skepticism from several Republicans. Many have questioned Kennedy’s past comments on immunization, his relationships with groups that present unfounded health claims and his abortion views.
Kennedy is the founder of health defense for children against vaccines, which in the United States received prominent due to suspicion of the safety and efficiency of vaccination in childhood and presenting the discredited claims that the shootings are associated with autism.
Kennedy, former President John F Kennedy’s nephew, denied that he was immunized by his own children against vaccination. He insisted during his hearing on confirmation that he only supports stricter studies and security tests for injections.
Some Republicans praised Kennedy for his criticism for using additives in food and pushed to suppress great pharmacy.
During the hearing, the legislators also barred Kennedy about their promotion of health misinformation and the knowledge of the US health system.
He was asked to explain his attitude about abortion, because he had previously indicated that he was advocating for abortion rights. He replied, saying to MPs that he agreed with Trump that the abortion approach should be controlled by individual states and that “every abortion is a tragedy.”
The exchange taught Democrats who accused Kennedy of “selling” his choice value to secure the nomination of President Trump.
One of his hearing was interrupted by the shouting of protesters. But he also received a loud applause, promising to make America healthy again, a slogan that used Trump administration.
On the eve of the hearing, Caroline Kennedy – cousin Roberta F Kennedy Jr – urged US senators to reject him as the next secretary for health and human services. She said Kennedy’s vaccine attitudes disqualified him from the role of one of the leading American health creators.
There were not enough to distract several Republicans who had previously retained their support from Kennedy, but ended up granding his nomination during a vote on Thursday.
Many eyes were on Senator Louisiane Bill Cassidy, a Republican, chairing the Senate Health Committee.
Cassidy, a doctor, previously indicated that he was struggling with Kennedy’s vaccine attitude. He voted to confirm Kennedy.
“We have to make America healthy again, and my expectation is that Secretary Kennedy will do it,” Cassidy posted on X after voting.
Others watched McConnell carefully, Kennedy’s critic and survivor Polio. McConnell warned Kennedy that he did not pour the vaccine polio.
He voted against the confirmation.
“Individuals, parents and families have the right to encourage a healthier nation and require the best possible scientific guidelines on preventing and treating the disease,” McConnell said in a statement. “But a record of trade in dangerous conspiracy theories and eroding confidence in public health institutions does not give Mr. Kennedy’s right to lead these important efforts.”
The Senate continues to go forward with Trump’s candidates. After confirmed by Kennedy, the legislators are expected to improve the homeard nomination as the next trade secretary.
This became the final vote for his confirmation by the end of the week.
The legislators are expected to take over the Kasha Patel nomination, Trump’s controversial selection for the federal investigative office (FBI), after receiving the key committee on Thursday.
Trump’s selection at the head of the Department of Education, Linda McMahon also had a hearing in a confirmation on Thursday.
