RFK Jr. Confirmed as HHS Secretary Despite McConnell and Republican Opposition

Robert F. Kennedy (RFK)Jr. was confirmed as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Thursday, despite opposition from some Republicans, including Senator Mitch McConnell.

McConnell, the former Senate Majority Leader, had previously voted against other high-profile nominees, such as Tulsi Gabbard for the Director of National Intelligence under President Donald Trump, and he also opposed Kennedy’s confirmation.

The final vote on Kennedy's confirmation was 52-48, with a narrow majority in favor. The HHS oversees a budget of approximately $1.7 trillion. Although McConnell opposed Kennedy’s appointment, as did several other Republicans, the nomination moved forward due to the slim Republican majority in the Senate, allowing Kennedy to pass alongside nominees like Pete Hegseth, the new Secretary of Defense.

McConnell, who is a polio survivor, has expressed strong disapproval of Kennedy’s controversial stance on health, particularly regarding vaccines. Last year, McConnell criticized Kennedy’s views, calling efforts to undermine public confidence in vaccines "dangerous" and "uninformed."

RFK Jr. Confirmed as HHS Secretary Despite McConnell and Republican Opposition

He specifically referenced the polio vaccine, which he said had saved millions of lives. McConnell warned that any nominee with ties to such views could face challenges in gaining Senate approval.

In his remarks on Kennedy, McConnell stated: "Mr. Kennedy has not demonstrated that he is the right person to lead the nation’s largest health agency. I hope that as he takes office, he will work to rebuild trust in our public health institutions rather than furthering division and doubt."