Senate confirms Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary
- The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in a 52-48 vote Thursday.
- Kennedy's nomination for the role was considered controversial in part because of his past statements on vaccines.
- Both Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Ed Markey voted against Kennedy's confirmation.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a member of the influential Massachusetts political family, was confirmed as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in a Senate vote Thursday.
The Senate confirmed Kennedy, the son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, in a 52-48 vote.
Last week, the Senate Finance Committee voted 14-13 to clear Kennedy's nomination and send it to the full Senate.
President Trump's nomination of Kennedy was widely considered one of his more controversial Cabinet picks in part because of Kennedy's past statements on vaccines.
Kennedy, a 71-year-old environmental lawyer, has vowed to take on "big pharma" and ultra-processed food in the role.
MA lawmakers Warren, Markey opposed RFK Jr.'s confirmation
Both Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Ed Markey voted against Kennedy's confirmation Thursday.
Warren spoke about her position on the Senate floor Wednesday, saying she opposed Kennedy's appointment because he "is willing to gamble with American lives."
"Kennedy’s actions speak louder than his latest words, and time and time again, Kennedy has shown us who he is: An anti-science conspiracy peddler who is willing to gamble with American lives. We know who he is, we need to pay attention," she said.
Markey also spoke on the Senate floor Wednesday where he said “the stakes are too high to take a risk on this nominee.”
What does Kennedy family think of RFK Jr.'s HHS secretary nomination?
Kennedy's confirmation marks a historic turn for the prominent family, which has historically been comprised of Democrats, including former President John F. Kennedy.
RFK Jr. previously called the party "corrupt" and ran for president as an Independent.
While most members of the Kennedy family have not spoken out about RFK Jr.'s nomination, his cousin Caroline Kennedy submitted a scathing letter to a Senate committee ahead of his confirmation hearings.
Caroline Kennedy called RFK Jr. a "predator" in the letter and said he is unqualified for the role of health secretary.
"He lacks any relevant government, financial, management or medical experience," she said. "His views on vaccines are dangerous and willfully misinformed. The facts alone should be disqualifying, but he has personal qualities related to this job, which, for me, pose even greater concern."
Caroline Kennedy's son Jack Schlossberg had also been vocal about his opposition of RFK Jr. on social media before deleting his accounts last week.
Melina Khan is a trending reporter for the Paste BN Network - New England, which serves more than a dozen affiliated news organizations across New England. She can be reached at MKhan@gannett.com.