Robert F. Kennedy Jr, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is set to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labour, and Pensions (HELP) Committee on Thursday, following a contentious hearing with the Senate Finance Committee the previous day, according to Reuters.
Kennedy, a 70-year-old environmental lawyer and founder of the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense, faced intense scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers over his past comments on vaccines and shifting stance on abortion rights. During Wednesday’s hearing, he denied being anti-vaccine but was accused of promoting conspiracy theories and discouraging the use of life-saving medicines.
Thursday’s hearing is a courtesy session, with no vote planned. The Senate Finance Committee holds the key to advancing Kennedy’s nomination to a full Senate vote.
If confirmed, Kennedy would oversee the HHS, a sprawling agency responsible for more than $3 trillion in healthcare spending, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and programmes like Medicare and Medicaid, which cover nearly half of all Americans.
Key issues and controversies
Kennedy’s nomination has sparked bipartisan concern, primarily due to spreading vaccine misinformation. During Wednesday’s hearing, he pledged to address rising rates of chronic disease and align with Trump’s policies on abortion.
He also advocated for reducing processed foods in school lunches and food stamp programmes, though these fall under the Department of Agriculture’s jurisdiction.
However, Kennedy appeared unprepared on some critical issues, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and federally funded community health centres. He admitted to having no specific proposals for reforming Medicaid, despite acknowledging public dissatisfaction with the programme.
Political division
While Democrats have been vocal in their opposition, citing Kennedy’s controversial views on vaccines and healthcare, some Republicans also object to his past support for abortion rights and perceived hostility toward the pharmaceutical industry.
Opposition groups are intensifying efforts to sway Republican senators against Kennedy’s nomination. Caroline Kennedy, a prominent member of the Kennedy political dynasty, publicly urged senators to reject her cousin’s nomination, describing him as a “predator” with dangerous healthcare views.
Kennedy needs at least 50 Senate votes to secure confirmation, with Vice President JD Vance available to cast a tie-breaking vote if necessary. So far, the Republican-controlled Senate has not rejected any of Trump’s nominees, though some, like Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, have faced narrow confirmations amid controversy.
As Kennedy returns to the Senate for his second hearing, the debate over his nomination underscores the deep divisions surrounding his candidacy and the broader challenges of navigating healthcare policy in a polarised political landscape.
