Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the activist-turned politician with a long history of embracing anti-scientific views, has become the next secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services.
Senators voted on Thursday 52-48 to confirm Kennedy to the role. Republican Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) Voted against RFK Jr., just like all Democrats. Hours later he was sworn in the Oval Office after comments from President Trump, who asked Kennedy to lead a committee that studied the rise of chronic diseases.
Prior to the vote of the Senate, Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), the chairman of the Senate Financing Committee, said: “Mr. Kennedy strives to reorient our approach to health care and to restore the belief in our institutions. His passion for tackling tackling The American chronic disease pidemy will save lives, lower costs and lay a foundation for a healthier, stronger country.
RFK Jr. Now has the task of supervising the 13 agencies of the department and to protect tens of thousands of federal employees and the health of the country. Kennedy brings his slogan “Make America Remory Again” to work, who collected support from unconventional figures, including President Trump.
RFK Jr. Steps in the role as one of the most visible and studied health secretaries in recent memory. His confirmation process included tense questions from both sides of the aisle, about his views on everything, from abortion to wifi and, of course, vaccines. With the consent of the Senate, Kennedy becomes the first health secretary to take on the role after he has made a name for himself by encouraging an anti-vaccine sentiment and promoting many other dubious, pseudoscientific ideas.
Many senators remain concerned about the views of RFK Jr. About vaccines (he refused to say that vaccines do not cause autism during his confirmation hearings), although that was not enough to stop his confirmation. Much more in the medical and scientific establishment have spoken similarly panic about the idea that Kennedy will have control over the most important research and public health bodies of the nation.
“He demonstrated a shocking lack of knowledge about the federal health programs that he will be accused of running, and a deliberate desire to mislead senators about his views on science cases such as Vaccin Safety,” said Senator Ron Wyden (D-Or.) On Wednesday.
Kennedy takes the role in the middle of massive unrest. In the first month of Trump’s presidency, American health and science institutions passed communication, threats to finance cuts and massive dismissals, pressure on dismantling diversity programs and more. Federal health websites have been removed or scrubbed from important information, including data on public health. Foreign health support has been endangered because Trump and Ally Elon Musk focused on the American Bureau for International Development.
Kennedy transformed from a lawyer from the environment to a vaccine-challenging non-profit leader before he turned in Trump’s track in the second half of 2024, while the presidential race ended. As an independent candidate, Kennedy did not go far. Because of the power of his broad Maha movement, and with a Trump approval, RFK Jr. However, drawn into the Trump campaign as a surrogate.
He gave the president a populist health care message in an election where many voters mentioned their highest concerns. Trump, in turn, introduced his huge basis to Maha.
It is still to be seen how RFK Jr. His broad vision will change in a specific policy. He has so far offered few details, except for mentioning the status quo unacceptable and said that Trump hired him to put an end to the chronic illness pidemy.
Kennedy also sworn – against his own record – to support vaccines and not to disturb their availability, and to keep his personal views from the work of independent federal scientists. Kennedy is a leader in the anti-vaccine movement and has spread the unfounded idea for years that vaccines are not as safe as the government says they are.
Even in his confirmation hearings, RFK Jr. To declare his claims that vaccines cause autism and refused to accept scientific evidence.
In the past he has expressed the wish to reform the safety tests of National Vaccin and important supervisory panels within HHS. His opponents fear that RFK Jr., regardless of the vows Kennedy has taken to senators, will work behind the scenes to undermine science and public health.
As HHS -Secretary, RFK Jr. Being able to pursue his interests, form health agendas and to influence the health of the nation in countless ways. He will also have the advantage of working with office heads, including nominees Dave Weldon in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Mehmet Oz in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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