Kennedy’s confirmation has been marked by widespread concerns over his controversial views on vaccines and abortion…reports Asian Lite News
The US Senate on Thursday confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a prominent anti-vaccine activist, as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a closely contested 52-48 vote, NBC News reported. The decision saw bipartisan opposition, with Republican Senator Mitch McConnell joining Democrats in voting against Kennedy’s confirmation.
McConnell, a childhood polio survivor, expressed strong reservations about Kennedy’s track record, stating that his history of promoting conspiracy theories undermines trust in public health institutions. “Mr. Kennedy has failed to prove he is the best person to lead our nation’s largest health agency,” McConnell said in a statement. He urged Kennedy to focus on restoring trust rather than sowing “further doubt and division.”
As the head of a $1.7 trillion agency, Kennedy will oversee critical areas such as pandemic preparedness, government-funded health care programmes, vaccine development, and pharmaceutical regulations. His confirmation has been marked by widespread concerns over his controversial views on vaccines and abortion.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician and chair of the Health, Education, Labour, and Pensions Committee, was among those who expressed hesitation but ultimately voted in favour of Kennedy. Cassidy revealed that Kennedy had assured him of maintaining the CDC’s advisory committee on immunisation practices and preserving statements on the CDC’s website affirming that vaccines do not cause autism.
Kennedy also secured the backing of Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins after providing reassurances regarding his stance on vaccines. Murkowski shared her reasoning on social media, stating that Kennedy had committed to working with Congress to promote evidence-based vaccine policies and ensure public access to transparent health information.
Despite his contentious history, Kennedy’s pledge to address public health challenges resonated with some lawmakers. However, his vocal opposition to vaccines and promotion of discredited theories linking them to autism drew unanimous opposition from Senate Democrats.
Kennedy will now oversee key agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
A former Democratic presidential candidate in 2024, Kennedy ran as an independent before endorsing Donald Trump. He supported Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, focusing on health issues such as scrutinising chemicals in food, a stance that garnered bipartisan approval.
Despite his confirmation, Kennedy’s appointment remains deeply divisive, with many questioning whether his leadership will restore or further erode trust in America’s public health institutions.
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