In a closely contested Senate vote of 52 to 48, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been confirmed as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Kennedy, known for vaccine skepticism, will now oversee a department responsible for a $1.7 trillion budget and programs affecting nearly half of the U.S. population.
The confirmation saw unanimous opposition from Democratic senators, with Republican Senator Mitch McConnell also voting against the appointment. Despite concerns over his controversial views, Kennedy has assured that he will not alter existing vaccine recommendations.
Kennedy’s appointment is part of a broader governmental restructuring led by the current administration, which includes significant changes to public health funding. He has pledged to implement reforms within agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as to conduct a comprehensive review of department personnel.
As he assumes leadership of HHS, Kennedy faces the challenge of addressing public health concerns while managing the department’s extensive programs and initiatives.
