(TheIndependentStar.com) – In a MAHA (“Make America Healthy Again”) victory for Donald Trump, the U.S. Senate has confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
See the tweet below!
This move signals a bold step towards reshaping the federal health landscape, stirring excitement among those eager to return to conservative values.
Many questions loom, however, especially regarding Kennedy’s controversial vaccine opinions.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed with a close Senate vote of 52-48, officially making him the new Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Despite being a vaccine skeptic, Kennedy now oversees $1.7 trillion in federal spending, vaccine recommendations, and food safety protocols.
The fact that nearly all Republicans backed him shows a striking shift, yet Democrats stood firmly against his nomination.
Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was the only Republican dissenting, driven by his personal experience with polio and insistence on the importance of vaccines.
Kennedy’s swearing-in at the Oval Office by Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch highlighted Trump’s confidence in his abilities despite the concerns.
Trump emphasized that Kennedy will spearhead a new commission tasked with making America healthy again.
With his extensive following from the pandemic era, Kennedy is seen as “uniquely positioned” to restore trust in essential public health agencies like the FDA and CDC, AP reports.
Previously earning over $850,000 last year by connecting clients suing vaccine makers, Kennedy’s involvement in legal proceedings raised eyebrows among Democrats.
He pledged to defer these fees to his son, attempting to assure critics of his impartiality.
The shakeup, led by innovative forces like Elon Musk, is impacting public health funding substantially.
A cap on medical research for universities, as well as treatment funding for diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s, has been enacted.
BREAKING: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine critic, is confirmed by the Senate to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. https://t.co/zmG0nuVZHy
— Breaking News (@BreakingNews) February 13, 2025
Kennedy’s controversial past, including his founding of the Children’s Health Defense, remains a focal point of tension.
He’s repeatedly clarified he’s not anti-vaccine, citing his children’s immunizations and the need for more rigorous safety checks.
His past ties with anti-vaccine groups, however, keep the debate alive.
Republicans supporting him appreciate his outspoken criticisms of food additives and big pharma.
His confirmation ties into President Trump’s broader ambition to overhaul government operations.
Kennedy’s stance on abortion drew questions during confirmation, where he stated that control should be state-based, and acknowledged “every abortion is a tragedy.”
His appointment comes at a time when the Senate is confirming other important Trump appointees, like Howard Lutnick for Secretary of Commerce and Kash Patel for FBI Director.
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