Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Confirmed as Head of Health and Human Services
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the controversial choice for the Department of Health and Human Services, has been confirmed by a 52-48 vote in the Senate.
Kennedy, a staunch vaccine critic, will now oversee the vast US healthcare bureaucracy, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Medicare and Medicaid.
The vote was largely along party lines, with all Democrats opposing the confirmation. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Kennedy a "wildly unqualified conspiracy theorist."
However, moderate Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski supported Kennedy, citing his commitment to addressing chronic illness as a driver of healthcare costs.
Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy, a doctor, initially hesitated but ultimately backed Kennedy after receiving "serious commitments" from the administration. Cassidy emphasized the importance of Kennedy's success to the nation's health.
Kennedy began his career as an environmental attorney and ran for president in 2020 as an independent before dropping out. He later endorsed President Trump and pledged to "make America healthy again."