Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is one step nearer to securing a job within the Trump administration as a key legislative committee voted to advance his nomination to function U.S. Secretary of Well being and Human Providers to the total Senate.
Practically per week after contentious affirmation hearings, the Senate Finance Committee voted Tuesday 14-13 alongside occasion traces to advance Kennedy’s nomination to the total Senate. All Republicans on the committee voted in favor of his nomination, whereas all Democrats opposed.
Kennedy, the son of former Lawyer Normal Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, challenged former President Joe Biden within the 2024 Democratic presidential main earlier than switching to an unbiased after which dropping out to endorse Trump within the 2024 presidential election.
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Kennedy’s nomination has acquired pushback on either side of the aisle.
Shortly after Trump introduced Kennedy because the nominee, former Vice President Mike Pence urged Senate Republicans to reject his nomination attributable to considerations about his previous help for abortion.
Throughout his affirmation hearings final week, Kennedy assured involved senators that he would work to implement pro-life insurance policies supported by the Trump administration. Democrats on the committee confronted Kennedy about his skepticism about vaccines and what they seen as his altering positions on points to safe help from Trump.
The Republican-controlled Senate has 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats. With Democrats anticipated to oppose his nomination unanimously, Kennedy can solely afford to lose the help of three Senate Republicans and nonetheless safe the votes wanted for affirmation. Within the occasion of a 50-50 tie, Vice President J.D. Vance would solid the tie-breaking vote.
For probably the most half, Trump’s cupboard nominees who’ve gone earlier than the U.S. Senate have acquired bipartisan help and unanimous help from Republicans.
Thus far, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth is the one nominee who has not acquired help from all Republicans. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, joined with Democrats to oppose his affirmation.
As of Tuesday, the Senate has confirmed eight of Trump’s cupboard nominees: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Central Intelligence Company Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of Homeland Safety Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Environmental Safety Company Administrator Lee Zeldin, Secretary of the Inside Doug Burgum and Secretary of Power Christopher Wright.
Nominees nonetheless awaiting affirmation embody Kennedy, Trump’s decide to function U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Elise Stefanik, director of nationwide intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. ambassador to Israel decide Mike Huckabee, legal professional basic nominee Pam Bondi and particular envoy to the UK decide Mark Burnett.
Additionally awaiting Senate affirmation are Scott Turner, who hopes to function secretary of Housing and City Growth; Dave Weldon, tapped to guide the Middle for Illness Management and Prevention; Brian Burch, chosen to function U.S. ambassador to the Holy See; and Jay Bhattacharya, the nominee to guide the Nationwide Institutes of Well being.
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Publish. He could be reached at: [email protected]
“Well bless their hearts.”
