Chicago – February 13, 2025
On Thursday, the Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in President Donald Trump’s cabinet.
The Senate, which is controlled by Republicans, voted 52-48 to confirm Kennedy, with most of the votes falling along party lines. The final vote came after a vote the day before, which set the process for his confirmation in motion.
Kennedy, known for his views against vaccines and his work as an environmental activist, had run for president in 2024 but later dropped out and supported Trump. He only needed a simple majority to be confirmed. The only Republican senator to vote against Kennedy’s nomination was Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who has been a strong supporter of vaccines due to having had polio as a child.
After the vote, the president’s team congratulated Kennedy on social media, writing, “Congratulations @RobertKennedyJr!”
