The Senate Finance Committee voted Tuesday to advance to the ground Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to guide the Division of Well being and Human Companies.
The 14-13 vote was strictly alongside occasion traces and got here regardless of Sen. Invoice Cassidy (R-La.) saying final week he had severe doubts about whether or not Kennedy is certified to guide the company, primarily over his historical past of selling a false hyperlink between vaccines and autism.
Cassidy had emerged because the pivotal vote, as Kennedy couldn’t afford to lose any Republicans on the committee. Kennedy can lose three on the Senate flooring and nonetheless be confirmed, with Vice President Vance breaking the tie.
In an announcement after the vote, Cassidy stated he had “intense conversations” with Kennedy over the weekend and even this morning, and stated he additionally spoke with Vance.
“With the intense commitments I’ve obtained from the administration and the chance to make progress on the problems we agree on like wholesome meals and a pro-American agenda, I’ll vote sure,” Cassidy stated
The three GOP senators who voted towards Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth — Sens. Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) — are all seen as potential wild playing cards on Kennedy as effectively. None of them sit on the Finance Committee.
In accordance with Fox Information, Kennedy and Cassidy spoke Sunday after the lawmaker stated through the Senate Well being, Schooling, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee affirmation listening to final week that he remained skeptical, and advised the 2 may discuss over the weekend.
Cassidy, a practising gastroenterologist, has been going through huge stress from Kennedy supporters and Louisiana Republicans forward of the vote. He appeared torn between loyalty to President Trump and a dedication to medication.
Kennedy is one among Trump’s most high-profile nominees, and his two affirmation listening to final week featured some fireworks as Democrats hammered him for selling misinformation about vaccines, flip-flopping on abortion, conflicts of curiosity in his authorized work, and his basic lack of expertise in regards to the particulars of well being insurance policies that may fall below his cost.
Senators throughout Tuesday’s listening to additionally voted to waive the seven-day rule that often requires at the very least every week to elapse between a nominee’s affirmation listening to and a vote to discharge from committee.
Up to date at 10:49 a.m. EST
