Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known vaccine critic, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the country’s top health official. The confirmation came after President Donald Trump encouraged Kennedy to “go wild” on healthcare. The vote to confirm Kennedy was 52-48, with nearly all Republican senators supporting him, except for Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who joined with the Democrats in opposition.
One key vote to secure Kennedy’s confirmation was Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., a physician who had expressed concerns about Kennedy’s history of promoting vaccine misinformation. However, after Kennedy promised to work within existing vaccine approval and safety systems, Cassidy ultimately voted to confirm him.
As the new Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kennedy will oversee one of the federal government’s largest agencies, which includes the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Under the banner of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, Kennedy has pledged to address the country’s rising rates of chronic disease and tackle issues related to over-processed foods and food additives.
During his confirmation hearings, Kennedy called for more research into food additives and advocated for aligning ingredient standards with those of European nations. He also criticized the FDA’s “generally recognized as safe” standard, which allows ingredients to bypass premarket review if they are widely considered safe by experts.
In response to Kennedy’s confirmation, the Consumer Brands Association expressed readiness to work with him to promote public health, consumer trust, and consumer choice. The association, which represents large food companies, emphasized its commitment to delivering safe and affordable products to consumers.
In addition to Kennedy’s confirmation, the Senate also confirmed Brooke Rollins as Secretary of Agriculture. Rollins, a former CEO of the America First Policy Institute, was favored by Republicans for her close relationship with Trump. She will be responsible for regulating the meat, poultry, and dairy industries.
Overall, Kennedy’s confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services marks a significant development in the healthcare landscape, with potential implications for public health policies and regulations in the future.
