Washington, D.C. – The Senate has confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a 52-48 vote, with all Democrats and Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell opposing his nomination.
Kennedy, a longtime activist and vocal critic of mainstream scientific views, takes on the leadership of HHS, overseeing 13 agencies and tens of thousands of federal employees. His appointment marks a significant shift in U.S. health policy under President Trump’s administration, particularly through his “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement.
Supporters, including Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), praised Kennedy’s commitment to addressing chronic disease and restoring public trust in health institutions. However, his history of promoting vaccine skepticism and other controversial health claims has alarmed many lawmakers and scientists.
During tense confirmation hearings, Kennedy declined to affirm the scientific consensus that vaccines do not cause autism, further fueling concerns about his leadership in public health. Critics, including Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), warned of his “shocking lack of knowledge” about federal health programs and potential misinformation on vaccine safety.
Kennedy’s tenure begins amid significant upheaval in U.S. health policy, with reports of funding cuts, mass layoffs, and the deletion of key public health data under the Trump administration. His ability to translate broad promises into concrete policies remains uncertain, leaving many in the scientific and medical communities wary of the future direction of American health care.