Robert F Kennedy cleared the primary hurdle wanted to be confirmed as US well being secretary when his nomination was authorised by a Senate committee Tuesday.
The vote cut up alongside occasion strains, 14-13, with all Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee voting in favour of the vaccine sceptic who threw his assist behind Donald Trump after ending a presidential bid of his personal and whose well being experience has been questioned.
Kennedy’s nomination will now transfer to a vote of the total US Senate, which Republicans management 53-47.
Senators questioned Kennedy about his views on vaccines and different well being points and examined his data about US public well being infrastructure.
Throughout the hearings he insisted that he was not against vaccines, nor a conspiracy theorist, however that he helps extra stringent security exams.
However senators zeroed in on his previous feedback, together with a podcast look the place he stated: “There isn’t any vaccine that’s protected and efficient.”
Senator Bernie Sanders, an impartial who organises and works with Democrats, praised Kennedy’s “Make America Wholesome Once more” slogan. However the senator then later confirmed photos of child garments printed with anti-vaccine messages offered by Kids’s Well being Defence, an organisation that the nominee headed till lately.
Kennedy responded that he not has oversight of the group.
Though Kennedy’s testimony final week didn’t win over any Democrats to his facet, he did handle to win the essential assist of Louisiana Republican Senator Invoice Cassidy.
Cassidy, a physician, had expressed scepticism about Trump’s nominee, however introduced that he would assist him throughout after being given “critical commitments” by Kennedy and the White Home. This clears the best way for a full Senate vote.
Kennedy is the son of Robert F Kennedy and the nephew of President John F Kennedy.
He made his identify as an environmental lawyer, however in recent times turned to criticism of US well being care, together with meals security and anti-vaccine advocacy.
He initially floated a run for president as a Democrat, however then mounted an impartial bid earlier than dropping out and endorsing Trump.
As secretary, Kennedy can be in command of enormous businesses such because the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA), the Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH) and the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Companies.
Kennedy has recommended that he’ll hearth lots of the individuals who work for these federal businesses, and Trump has stated he would give his nominee broad leeway to reform the US meals and healthcare techniques.
Throughout his affirmation hearings, RFK Jr indicated he wouldn’t search to ban vaccinations, or unhealthy quick meals, however would have a look at the usage of meals components which he says are far more prevalent within the US than in European international locations.