Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Feb. 13 in a 52-48 Senate vote, making him the head of the nation’s top health agency. The nominee, selected by President Donald Trump, was sworn in at the Oval Office later that day.
McConnell Votes No
Kennedy’s nomination sparked intense debate. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), a polio survivor, was the only Republican to vote against him. McConnell also opposed the confirmations of Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Pete Hegseth for defense secretary.
HHS oversees 13 agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Kennedy has promised sweeping reforms within the department.
‘Make America Healthy Again’
Kennedy aims to combat what he calls the chronic disease epidemic. Under his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, he plans to reduce corporate influence on federal health agencies and eliminate toxic chemicals from the food supply.
Corporate Interests
Kennedy has long argued that government health agencies are compromised by corporate interests. He insists that without addressing this issue, little will change in American healthcare.
From Presidential Candidate to HHS Leader
Kennedy initially ran for president as a Democrat before switching to an independent bid. He withdrew in August 2024 and endorsed Trump, calling it a “heart-wrenching decision” necessary to pursue his health reform goals. After ending his campaign, he launched the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, focused on fighting chronic disease and improving children’s health.
“The first thing I’ve done every morning for the past 20 years is get on my knees and pray to God that He would put me in a position to end the chronic disease epidemic and to help America’s children,” Kennedy said in August 2024.
Controversy Over Vaccines
Kennedy’s views on vaccines have drawn criticism, particularly from Democrats. While many label him “anti-vax,” he insists he is “pro-science” and supports informed consent and vaccine safety.
“I’ve never been anti-vaccine,” Kennedy told The Epoch Times in September 2024. “People should have a choice, and that choice should be informed by the best information possible.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a physician, initially expressed doubts about Kennedy’s stance on vaccines but ultimately supported his confirmation. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), both of whom have opposed some of Trump’s nominees in the past, also backed Kennedy.
Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, defended Kennedy before the confirmation vote. “Contrary to the attacks that have constantly been made on him, he has made it very clear that he will support safe vaccinations and just wants to see that the research on it is done and done well,” Crapo said.
Divided Senate
The Senate Finance Committee advanced Kennedy’s nomination in a 14-13 party-line vote on Feb. 4. A cloture vote on Feb. 12 further showcased partisan divisions, with Democrats fiercely opposing his confirmation. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called Kennedy a “wildly unqualified conspiracy theorist,” while Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) labeled him a “uniquely unqualified nominee.”
Despite opposition, Kennedy’s supporters argue he will bring much-needed reform to HHS. Dr. James Lyons-Weiler, an advisor to Kennedy, said in December 2024, “He’s not anti-pharma; he’s anti-fraud. He’s not anti-vaccine; he’s anti-vaccine injury.”
Trump’s Support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr,
Trump has pledged to give Kennedy the freedom to investigate a potential link between vaccines and autism. Kennedy has long argued that childhood vaccines could be a factor in rising autism rates. CDC data shows that autism diagnoses in American children have risen from 1 in 150 in 2000 to 1 in 36 today.
While Democrats frame their opposition as concern for public health, critics argue their real motive is to obstruct Trump’s presidency and protect entrenched interests in the health sector. Kennedy’s confirmation marks a significant shift in U.S. health policy, with the potential to challenge long-standing industry influence over federal agencies.
