US Senate Confirms RFK Jr. as Health Secretary

Above: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies during his Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions confirmation hearing on Jan. 30, 2025. Image copyright: Kevin Dietsch/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

  • The US Senate on Thursday confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services with a mostly party-line vote of 52-48.

  • Kennedy, a longtime critic of vaccines, secured key Republican votes after making several commitments to Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), including promises to maintain existing vaccine programs and submit to regular oversight by the Senate Health Committee.

  • Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, a polio survivor, was the only Republican to vote against Kennedy's confirmation. In a statement, he cited concerns about Kennedy's stance on vaccines, writing he wouldn't "condone the relitigation of proven cures."


The Spin

Republican narrative

Kennedy has now been empowered to shake up the US health establishment just as Trump intended. It's time to root out the conflicts of interest within federal agencies and tackle the causes of chronic diseases, which are making Americans sick and costing them untoward millions. America is on the path to becoming healthy again.


Democratic narrative

Kennedy's history of promoting debunked lies about vaccines and other conspiracy theories, in addition to his lack of public health experience, makes him dangerously unqualified to lead HHS. His appointment threatens decades of public health progress and could undermine vital vaccination programs that have saved millions of lives.



Metaculus Prediction




Political split

LEFT

RIGHT

More neutral political stance articles