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Kennedy’s Controversial Views Spark Senate Debate on Health Nomination
Kennedy’s nomination is the subject of intense bipartisan scrutiny and it is still far from certain whether a Senate will endorse him.

United States: The Senate Health Committee plans to examine Robert F. Kennedy Jr as Donald Trump’s top healthcare nominee this Thursday following his appearance before a different committee about his vaccine comments and shifting abortion views.
During Wednesday’s testimony to the Senate Finance Committee Kennedy denied his opposition to vaccines while serving as founder of Children’s Health Defense. Democratic legislators criticized him for spreading unfounded theories against key medical treatments while discouraging patients from obtaining lifesaving drugs, as reported by Reuters.
Senate Listening Session Without Voting Action
The Senate Committee on Health Education, Labor, and Pensions will conduct a non-binding listening session on Thursday without scheduling any voting activities. The Senate Finance Committee will make the final decision about advancing Kennedy towards a vote for the Senate.
The only person sworn to tell the truth in Senate hearings yesterday was Robert F Kennedy.
— TR Mauk (@TrevelyanMauk) January 30, 2025
Yes or No questions should be forbidden. They tell us nothing informative. They are just gotcha games. https://t.co/5SpDMzeDhM
Kennedy’s Vision for Healthcare and Chronic Disease
Kennedy would control the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if confirmed to his position which regulates more than 3 trillion dollars in health spending from the Food and Drug Administration to Medicare and Medicaid health insurance providers that serve nearly half of all Americans.
During his Wednesday appearance Kennedy announced plans to handle mounting chronic disease rates according to President Trump’s abortion policy. Kennedy expressed his desire to see schools reduce access to processed foods both through their lunch program and through the SNAP benefits program which operates under USDA oversight.
When asked about Medicare, Medicaid, and federal community health centers, he displayed hesitancy in providing responses. Kennedy declared his lack of a plan for Medicaid reform yet pointed out widespread dissatisfaction with the program among citizens.
Environmental lawyer Eileen DeFrank faces bipartisan criticism because of her past misinformation about vaccine safety.
Senators under Republican leadership continue to endorse every nominee appointed by Trump. The confirmation of defense secretary appointee Pete Hegseth moved forward with a 51-50 Senate vote which required Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking vote on Friday despite nomination controversies regarding both the nominee’s qualifications and allegations about sexual attacks and drinking problems.
Some Republicans joined the opposition against Kennedy by citing his previous statements in support of abortion rights and his stance against pharmaceutical businesses.
Pressure Mounts from Both Sides of the Aisle
Members of opposition groups have increased pressure on Republican Senators to stop supporting Kennedy’s nomination for the open position. On Tuesday, Caroline Kennedy from the well-known American political family requested senators to reject her cousin’s nomination because he displayed predatory behavior through his health-related dangerous opinions, as reported by Reuters.
Kennedy requires fifty qualifying votes from the Senate to achieve confirmation of his nomination along with an additional tie-breaking vote from Vance.
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