The nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the secretary of health is inching towards confirmation after it garnered favorable votes from the Senate. The Senate, voting along party lines, has ushered Kennedy’s nomination one step nearer to the final approval, with the decisive vote expected to be held on Thursday.
Kennedy Jr., a notable critic of vaccination procedures, has initiated a ‘Make America Healthy Again’ campaign. Standing at the cusp of potentially becoming the country’s health secretary, Kennedy saw his nomination moved forward in the Senate, entirely along party allegiances. This shift lays the groundwork for a final vote, possibly to be cast on Thursday.
The controversial 53-to-47 vote showcased an impressive Republican backing for President Trump, who has thrown his support behind Kennedy, a figure from a traditionally liberal Democratic family. In aligning with Kennedy, Trump has expressed his desire to empower him with the freedom to overhaul healthcare.
In the wake of Trump’s election victory, numerous analysts conjectured Kennedy would face significant challenges in securing confirmation, due to his liberal lineage. This extraordinary show of support from the Senate demonstrates Kennedy’s resilience and influence.
Kennedy’s outspoken skepticism regarding vaccinations has raised concerns among some Republicans. He remained defiant during his confirmation hearings, rejecting the widespread scientific agreement that vaccinations do not trigger autism and dismissing broad-ranging studies that discovered no connection.
However, Kennedy displayed a more nuanced stance, voicing his support for measles and polio vaccines. He assured the Senate he would not take any initiative as the health secretary that might dissuade or prevent people from receiving those shots.
The vote of Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader and the only polio survivor in the Senate, was notably observed. McConnell voted in favor of advancing Kennedy’s nomination to the next stage.
However, McConnell’s affirmative initial vote does not guarantee his support in the final ballot. He previously voted positively for the ascension of Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for the director of National Intelligence but ultimately opposed her during the confirmation vote.
An important development is the absence of a conventional courtesy visit between Kennedy and McConnell. McConnell cautioned the Senate to be careful about any potential undermining of public faith in tried and tested remedies.
This caution could be especially prevalent in terms of efforts connected to the incoming administration. Polio survivors, in particular, are keenly following the developments revolving around McConnell’s vote.