RFK Jr. Nears Appointment as US Health Chief
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is advancing in his pursuit of the position of secretary of health and human services. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has taken a significant step toward becoming the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services as the Senate Finance Committee voted 14-13 to advance his nomination, with unanimous support from Republicans and complete opposition from Democrats.
At 71, Kennedy, an environmental lawyer known for his skeptical views on vaccines, underwent intense scrutiny during his confirmation hearings. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who chairs the Senate Health Committee and is also a physician, initially had doubts about Kennedy's vaccine stance. Nonetheless, he ultimately backed the nomination after Kennedy and the administration assured him of their “commitment to protecting the public health benefit of vaccination.”
Democrats, spearheaded by Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, expressed strong dissent regarding the nomination, raising alarms about Kennedy’s perspectives. Wyden cautioned that Kennedy's leadership could jeopardize public confidence in vaccines and health strategies, stating, “Mr. Kennedy has given us no reason to believe he will be anything other than a rubber stamp for plans to cut Medicaid and rip health care away from the American people.”
The full Senate, where Republicans currently hold a majority, is anticipated to vote on Kennedy’s nomination soon, likely within the week. Confirmation requires a simple majority.
Kennedy was nominated by U.S. President Donald Trump shortly after his November reelection. If confirmed, he would manage a substantial budget and oversee critical agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, among others.
Before the committee's vote, Trump endorsed Kennedy in a post on Truth Social, remarking, “Twenty years ago, autism in children was 1 in 10,000. NOW IT’S 1 in 34. WOW! Something’s really wrong. We need BOBBY!!! Thank You! DJT.”
Kennedy, the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, has been an outspoken critic of the Covid-19 response measures recommended by the World Health Organization, including stringent lockdowns and the expedited distribution of vaccines.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
At 71, Kennedy, an environmental lawyer known for his skeptical views on vaccines, underwent intense scrutiny during his confirmation hearings. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who chairs the Senate Health Committee and is also a physician, initially had doubts about Kennedy's vaccine stance. Nonetheless, he ultimately backed the nomination after Kennedy and the administration assured him of their “commitment to protecting the public health benefit of vaccination.”
Democrats, spearheaded by Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, expressed strong dissent regarding the nomination, raising alarms about Kennedy’s perspectives. Wyden cautioned that Kennedy's leadership could jeopardize public confidence in vaccines and health strategies, stating, “Mr. Kennedy has given us no reason to believe he will be anything other than a rubber stamp for plans to cut Medicaid and rip health care away from the American people.”
The full Senate, where Republicans currently hold a majority, is anticipated to vote on Kennedy’s nomination soon, likely within the week. Confirmation requires a simple majority.
Kennedy was nominated by U.S. President Donald Trump shortly after his November reelection. If confirmed, he would manage a substantial budget and oversee critical agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, among others.
Before the committee's vote, Trump endorsed Kennedy in a post on Truth Social, remarking, “Twenty years ago, autism in children was 1 in 10,000. NOW IT’S 1 in 34. WOW! Something’s really wrong. We need BOBBY!!! Thank You! DJT.”
Kennedy, the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, has been an outspoken critic of the Covid-19 response measures recommended by the World Health Organization, including stringent lockdowns and the expedited distribution of vaccines.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
