The Senate confirmation comes despite objections from US Democrats over his anti-vaccine views
The US Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services on Thursday. The confirmation was secured despite Democratic objections to what they described as Kennedy's promotion of 'conspiracy theories' about vaccines and nutrition.
The vote was largely divided along party lines, with 52 Republicans supporting the nomination and 48 Democrats opposing it. Former GOP leader Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to vote against the confirmation.
Kennedy, 71, an environmental lawyer, was nominated by US President Donald Trump shortly after his reelection victory in November last year.
The vote breakdown marks the second time in as many days that McConnell has opposed one of Trump's nominees. He was the only Republican to oppose the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence on Wednesday.
McConnell said he refused back RFK Jr. due to the nominee's vaccine skepticism. "I'm a survivor of childhood polio ... I will not condone the re-litigation of proven cures, and neither will millions of Americans who credit their survival and quality of life to scientific miracles," McConnell stated.
Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, said in a statement that "when dangerous diseases make a comeback and people struggle to access lifesaving vaccines, all Americans will pay the price."
Warren also warned that "with his significant, unresolved conflicts of interest, RFK Jr.'s family could continue profiting from his anti-vaccine agenda while he holds office."
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