Washington A Senate committee on Tuesday reported Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to the floor in favor, bringing him one step closer to becoming secretary of health and human services.
Despite decades of disseminating misleading information on vaccine safety, Kennedy still has a chance to be confirmed by the Senate, as indicated by the Finance Committee’s 14–13 party-line vote.
Following the vote, Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana who supported Kennedy in committee, stated that he would speak on the floor about the nomination later Tuesday morning.
When Cassidy presided over the hearing of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee last week, he voiced doubts about Kennedy’s nomination.
Having spoken with thousands of individuals about vaccinations, I am aware that mothers seek confirmation that the vaccine their kid is getting is essential, secure, and efficient. During the hearing in late January, Cassidy stated, “The two of us agree on that point.” However, we’ve taken a different strategy. And I believe I can argue that you have addressed it by casting doubt on specific evidence, whereas I have approached it by relying on the majority of the evidence to comfort.
After Tuesday’s committee vote, Cassidy wrote on social media that the Trump administration had given him guarantees.
Over the weekend and even this morning, I had a lot of heated discussions with Bobby and the White House. In reference to Vice President J.D. Vance, Cassidy stated, “I want to thank VP JD specifically for his honest counsel.” I’ll vote yes because of the administration’s sincere promises and the chance to further the causes we share, such as pro-American policies and healthy eating.
Just prior to the committee’s decision, Democrats expressed concerns about the potential effects of Kennedy’s confirmation on the nation’s public health system.
Senator Raphael Warnock, a Democrat from Georgia, stated that Kennedy is blatantly unfit for the position he is applying for.
According to Warnock, we need a serious individual to lead HHS, an organization that oversees the health of almost half of all Americans. Mr. Kennedy seems more concerned with spreading conspiracy theories than finding ways to safeguard us and reduce the cost of health care for Georgia’s working families.
A dilettante experimenting with conspiracy theories at HHS is the last thing we need.
Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, stated that he thinks Kennedy will make a fantastic HHS secretary.
Tillis stated, “I hope he goes crazy and really finds a way to lower the cost of health care.” As the status quo has not produced much in the way of progress, I hope he goes crazy and finds a way to make Medicaid work and make people on Medicaid healthier, rather than continuing the conversations we have had for the ten years I have been in the Senate.
In order for us to approve our food safety supplies, I hope he gets really excited about food safety.
This tale is still in progress and will be updated.
