WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate on Thursday, February 13, 2025 confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a 52-48 vote.
This confirmation comes despite intense scrutiny of Kennedy’s controversial views on vaccines and public health policy.
The vote largely followed party lines, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) joining Democrats in opposing Kennedy’s nomination.
McConnell has now voted against three of Trump’s Cabinet picks, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, signalling his ongoing rift with the administration’s right-wing faction.
Kennedy’s Contentious Confirmation Hearings
Kennedy, a longtime critic of vaccines, faced tense questioning during his confirmation hearings, particularly over his stance on immunisation and his past claims linking vaccines to autism—an assertion that scientific studies have widely debunked.
During one exchange, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) pressed Kennedy on whether he acknowledged that vaccines do not cause autism, citing numerous studies.
Kennedy hesitated, saying, “If you show me those studies, I will absolutely—” before Sanders interjected, calling the response “very troubling.”
Kennedy, however, defended himself, asserting, “I am not anti-vaccine; I am pro-safety. I believe vaccines play a critical role in healthcare.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that routine childhood vaccinations have prevented millions of illnesses and over a million deaths among Americans born between 1994 and 2023.
Concerns Over Kennedy’s Understanding of Medicare and Medicaid
In addition to vaccine skepticism, Kennedy struggled to accurately describe core aspects of Medicare and Medicaid, raising concerns among lawmakers about his preparedness to oversee a department that provides healthcare to over 150 million Americans.
At one point, he incorrectly stated that Medicare Part A covers primary care services, when it is actually designed for inpatient hospital coverage.
He also mischaracterized Medicaid as being fully funded by the federal government, when in reality, it is a joint federal-state program.
McConnell Cites Personal Experience with Polio in Opposition
McConnell, a survivor of childhood polio, explained his opposition in a pointed statement before the vote.
“This Administration—led by the same President who delivered a medical miracle with Project Warp Speed—deserves a leader who is willing to acknowledge, without qualification, the efficacy of life-saving vaccines,” McConnell said.
“Mr. Kennedy failed to prove he is the best possible person to lead America’s largest health agency.”
Trump’s Influence Over the Senate GOP
Despite Kennedy’s controversial views, the confirmation underscores Trump’s dominance over Senate Republicans, ensuring that even the most polarising nominees are confirmed with minimal resistance.
Kennedy’s appointment follows the confirmations of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence and Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, both of whom faced opposition but ultimately secured approval.
The White House’s aggressive lobbying efforts—including personal outreach from Trump and Vice President JD Vance—helped sway key GOP holdouts.
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a physician, initially expressed skepticism but later voted in favor, citing “intense conversations” with the administration.
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) also reluctantly backed Kennedy, acknowledging concerns about his “selective interpretation of scientific studies” but noting that he had promised to follow evidence-based public health guidelines.
Kennedy’s Path to the Trump Administration
Kennedy, a member of the political dynasty bearing his name, launched a presidential bid in 2024, first challenging then-President Joe Biden as a Democrat, before running as an independent.
In the final days of the election, he met with Trump several times, leading to his endorsement of Trump in exchange for a role in the administration.
What’s Next for Kennedy?
As Health and Human Services Secretary, Kennedy will oversee major agencies such as the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
His tenure is expected to be closely scrutinized as he takes on public health crises, including vaccine policy, rising healthcare costs, and potential Medicare and Medicaid reforms.
Democrats have vowed to keep a close eye on Kennedy’s handling of public health initiatives, with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) warning, “We will not allow public health policy to be undermined by misinformation and pseudoscience.”
