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Despite significant financial opposition from various groups, the Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of Health and Human Services with a 52-48 vote. Kennedy faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum: liberals objected to his long-standing promotion of vaccine-related conspiracy theories, while conservatives were concerned about his previous support for abortion rights. In the days leading up to the vote, Democratic senators delivered speeches late into the night in protest. However, by Thursday morning, Kennedy secured the necessary votes for confirmation.
Notably, former Republican Majority Leader and polio survivor, Senator Mitch McConnell, was the only Republican to vote against Kennedy. McConnell emphasized his personal experience with the life-saving impact of vaccines, stating, “In my lifetime, I’ve watched vaccines save millions of lives from devastating diseases across America and around the world. I will not condone the re-litigation of proven cures, and neither will millions of Americans who credit their survival and quality of life to scientific miracles.”
Following the confirmation, Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch administered the oath of office to Kennedy in a ceremony held in the Oval Office. President Trump, along with members of Kennedy’s family, including his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, and his children, attended the event. Later that day, President Trump signed an executive order establishing the “Make America Healthy Again” Commission. This new body will include representatives from various departments, such as Agriculture, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others.
