The Senate voted 52-48 on Thursday to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, marking a key victory for President Donald Trump despite intense opposition over Kennedy's long-standing views on vaccines and public health policy. The vote fell largely along party lines, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell breaking ranks to join Democrats in opposition.
Kennedy, a vocal critic of the pharmaceutical industry and federal health agencies, will now oversee a department that includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). His confirmation solidifies Trump's effort to install cabinet officials who challenge conventional policy positions, despite concerns raised by lawmakers and public health experts.
McConnell, a polio survivor, issued a statement condemning Kennedy's stance on vaccines. "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," he said. "Mr. Kennedy failed to prove he is the best possible person to lead America's largest health agency."
During confirmation hearings, Kennedy denied being anti-vaccine, stating, "I believe that vaccines play a critical role in health care." However, he stopped short of agreeing with scientific consensus that vaccines do not cause autism, a position that drew sharp criticism from lawmakers. Sen. Bernie Sanders pressed Kennedy on the issue, asking if he accepted that numerous studies had debunked the claim. Kennedy hesitated, responding, "If you show me those studies, I will absolutely-" before Sanders interjected, calling the response "very troubling."
Kennedy's confirmation comes amid a measles outbreak in Texas, which public health officials have attributed to declining vaccination rates. According to the CDC, routine childhood vaccinations have prevented more than a million deaths in the U.S. since 1994. Critics warn that Kennedy's appointment could undermine public confidence in immunization efforts and disrupt health agency policies.
Beyond vaccines, Kennedy's grasp of health policy came under scrutiny during his hearings. He mischaracterized Medicare Part A as primarily covering physician services rather than hospital care and incorrectly stated that Medicaid is fully funded by the federal government, overlooking its state-federal cost-sharing structure. These missteps raised concerns about his ability to manage programs that provide health coverage for more than 150 million Americans.
Kennedy's appointment is part of a broader Trump administration effort to reshape federal agencies. The confirmations of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, both of whom faced strong opposition, underscore Trump's success in rallying Senate Republicans behind his nominees. The White House, aided by Vice President JD Vance, engaged in extensive lobbying to secure Kennedy's approval.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican and physician, initially expressed reservations but ultimately supported Kennedy after what he described as "intense conversations" with the White House. Cassidy said Kennedy assured him he would not interfere with vaccine policies and agreed to congressional oversight on key decisions. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, another Republican swing vote, echoed similar concerns but backed Kennedy after receiving commitments on "data-driven, evidence-based" decision-making.
