In a closely contested decision today, the Senate Finance Committee has voted 14-13 along party lines to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services to the Senate floor. All Republican members supported the nomination, while Democrats unanimously opposed it. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician who had previously expressed reservations due to Kennedy’s controversial views on vaccines, ultimately cast a pivotal “aye” vote after engaging in extensive discussions with Kennedy and the White House.
Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and known vaccine skeptic, has faced significant criticism for his stance on vaccine safety and potential financial conflicts of interest. Despite these concerns, he has pledged to allow public health scientists to operate independently and to allocate referral fees from vaccine-related lawsuits to his son. The nomination now proceeds to the full Senate, where Kennedy can afford to lose only three Republican votes if Democrats remain united in opposition. Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky are potential dissenters due to concerns over Kennedy’s vaccine-related positions.
Gabbard’s Nomination for DNI Faces Critical Committee Vote
Later today, the Senate Intelligence Committee is scheduled to vote on President Donald Trump’s nomination of former Representative Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence. Gabbard’s nomination has been met with skepticism from some Republicans due to her past positions on national security issues and her views on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. However, she has recently secured support from key GOP senators, including Susan Collins and James Lankford, who have expressed satisfaction with her clarifications on these matters. The outcome of the committee vote remains uncertain, with a close result anticipated.
