Words by GOLD newsdesk
Robert F. Kennedy Jr has been confirmed as the US Secretary of Health and Human Services following a 52-48 Senate vote. His appointment places the longtime environmental lawyer, author and anti-vaccine activist at the helm of a department overseeing more than $3tn in healthcare spending.
Sworn in on 13 February 2025, the new health secretary has provided private assurances that he would not alter existing vaccine programmes or regulatory processes, Reuters reported. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to oppose him.
Unsurprisingly, all 47 Democrats voted against his confirmation. Among them was Massachusetts Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren, who called Kennedy’s appointment a “huge mistake”. Several of Kennedy’s relatives, including his cousin Caroline Kennedy, also urged senators to reject his appointment, said Reuters.
Despite initial reservations among some Republicans, the party ultimately rallied behind the nominee. Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician, said he supported the nomination after Kennedy provided “necessary reassurances” on vaccine policy. Reuters also reported that billionaire Elon Musk had urged Republican senators back the pick, warning that he would fund primary challengers against those who opposed his confirmation.
As Kennedy was sworn in, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create a commission aimed at combating chronic illness and childhood diseases. The ‘Make America Healthy Again’ commission will be chaired by Kennedy and will include top federal officials from the FDA, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In addition to this role, Kennedy has stated his first priorities will be creating “radical transparency” as well as addressing conflicts of interest in government. His confirmation aligns him further with Trump, whom he endorsed after ending his independent presidential bid last year.
