Executive Branch

RFK Jr. Confirmed by Senate as HHS Secretary

The Senate voted 52–48 to approve Trump’s nominee to lead the nation’s most prominent health department.
RFK Jr. Confirmed by Senate as HHS Secretary
President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., testifies before the Senate Committee on Finance on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 29, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times
Jeff Louderback
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose nomination by President Donald Trump as secretary of health and human services was highly scrutinized by lawmakers, was confirmed to that post by the Senate on Feb. 13 in a 52–48 vote. He was sworn in at the Oval Office later on Feb. 13.

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), a polio survivor who previously voiced concerns about Kennedy’s vaccine views, voted against confirming Kennedy—the only Republican to cast a no vote. He also voted against the confirmations of Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Pete Hegseth for defense secretary.

Jeff Louderback
Jeff Louderback
Reporter
Jeff Louderback covers major news and politics, including the Make America Healthy Again movement and regenerative farming. Since joining The Epoch Times in 2022, he has covered national elections, the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. presidential campaign, the East Palestine train derailment, and the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. Jeff has 30-plus years of professional experience as a reporter, editor, and author.