The Senate Finance Committee will vote Tuesday on the recommendation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation to lead federal health agencies, thecommittee announced Sunday.
Kennedy’s approval by the committee is far from certain. Last week, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said he was “struggling” with the nominee’s reticence to publicly support vaccines despite the overwhelming evidence that they’re safe and effective.
Republicans’ one-vote edge in the Finance Committee means Cassidy could ultimately keep Kennedy from getting a favorable recommendation from the panel, should all the Democrats vote against him.
And Senate Majority Leader John Thune told Semafor last week that it wouldn’t be ideal to bring another one of President Donald Trump’s nominees — Tulsi Gabbard, who is also facing confirmation hearings to lead the nation’s intelligence agencies this week — to the floor without a favorable committee vote.
Kennedy has promised significant reforms at HHS and a reframing of the government’s overall role in health care.
The Finance Committee’s vote — and potential action on the Senate floor — will determine the fate of those plans.
