WASHINGTON ― The Senate Finance Committee voted Tuesday to advance the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the complete Senate, transferring him one step nearer to being confirmed as President Donald Trump’s well being and human providers secretary.
The ultimate tally was 14-13. Each Democrat on the committee voted towards advancing Kennedy’s nomination, whereas each Republican voted in favor of it.
Sen. Invoice Cassidy (R-La.), who’s a doctor, had beforehand raised questions on Kennedy’s report, and was seen as a potential “no” vote on his nomination. However ultimately, he joined his occasion and voted to advance Kennedy.
“I’ve had very intense conversations with Bobby and the White Home over the weekend and even this morning,” Cassidy said on social media simply minutes earlier than casting his committee vote. “With the intense commitments I’ve obtained from the administration and the chance to make progress on the problems we agree on like wholesome meals and a pro-American agenda, I’ll vote sure.”
Kennedy has drawn fierce opposition from Democrats and outdoors teams resulting from his lengthy report of fueling conspiracies and anti-vaccine misinformation, in addition to his plans for abortion medication. Throughout his Senate affirmation hearings final week, Kennedy botched basic facts about Medicare and Medicaid ― two applications he’d oversee as HHS secretary.
Throughout Tuesday’s listening to, Democrats on the finance committee piled on with warnings about Kennedy earlier than and after the panel took its vote.
Kennedy is “singularly unfit to function HHS secretary,” mentioned Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the highest Democrat on the committee.
Wyden mentioned he counted up that Kennedy has made 114 separate appearances within the final 4 years the place he espoused anti-vaccine views or unfold misinformation that falsely linked vaccines to autism.
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) famous he was alarmed when he heard that Trump mentioned he hoped Kennedy would “go wild” in his function as well being and human providers secretary.
“Of all of the issues I’d wish to see the well being and human providers secretary do, ‘go wild’ just isn’t on the checklist,” Warnock mentioned.
Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) raised questions on Kennedy’s character and mentioned he worries that HHS workers wouldn’t have faith in him as a frontrunner, one thing that’s essential to ensure that the division to perform.
“Frankly, among the issues he did he by no means defined,” mentioned Welch, citing past instances of Kennedy making questionable choices. “A chainsaw taking off the top of a whale. Dumping a bear in Central Park for his personal amusement. These are simply bizarre issues.”
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Kennedy’s nomination now heads to the Senate flooring.
