Robert F Kennedy Jr. Nomination Advances Despite Controversy
The Senate panel votes to advance Robert F Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for Health and Human Services chief, amid contentious discussions over vaccines and health policies.
President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Health and Human Services faced rigorous questioning during hearings centered on vaccines, abortion, and other significant health care issues.
A Senate panel voted Tuesday to narrowly advance the nomination of Robert F Kennedy Jr., President Trump's choice to oversee the nation's health agencies.
Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine activist, is aiming to run the Department of Health and Human Services. His nomination has sparked an intense lobbying campaign, with public health leaders labeling him a dangerous choice for the nation's top health official. Meanwhile, Kennedy's supporters argue that he would bring necessary attention to issues like chronic disease.
The vote was largely divided along party lines, with the panel's 14 Republicans voting in favor of Kennedy, while the 13 Democrats opposed.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), a physician who grappled with his decision, ultimately opted to support Kennedy. Cassidy urged Kennedy to drop his disregarded assertion that vaccines cause autism, expressing concern that it could further erode public trust in vaccine safety.
During his two confirmation hearings last week, Kennedy denied being anti-vaccine, claiming he merely seeks additional data on the risks associated with vaccines. Lawmakers highlighted that this response has been consistent from him over the years when confronted about his debunked claims.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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