The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Health and Human Services secretary on Thursday, giving the longtime vaccine critic who has vowed to take on "big pharma" and ultra-processed food the power to oversee the nation’s food and healthcare systems.
Kennedy, a 71-year-old longtime environmental lawyer, was confirmed by a vote of 52-48. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who survived polio before Jonas Salk's breakthrough prevention, voted against Kennedy after raising concerns about his position on vaccines. The former Republican majority leader has angered some of Trump's supporters for votes and views that conflict with the president's.
During his confirmation hearing, Kennedy, who has no academic background in medicine or healthcare, said his “journey into the issue of health” began with his career as an attorney working with hunters, fishermen and communities along the Hudson River in New York.
The Trump administration said on Tuesday that Columbia University was “refusing to help” the Department of...
