On Wednesday morning, the US Senate passed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) with a vote of 53 to 47, ending the debate on his nomination. The final confirmation vote is expected to take place on Thursday.
If the outcome of the final confirmation vote matches the procedural vote, Kennedy will officially be confirmed as the HHS Secretary.
A key vote came from Bill Cassidy, the Chairman of the Senate Health Committee and a Republican Senator from Louisiana. Initially conflicted about Kennedy’s stance on vaccines, Cassidy cast the decisive vote in last week’s Senate Finance Committee vote after engaging in “in-depth conversations” with Kennedy and Vice President Vance.
Other key swing votes ultimately chose to align with their respective party positions. Democratic Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania had previously expressed openness to Kennedy’s views but recently announced he would vote against the nomination. On the other hand, Republican Senator Susan Collins from Maine informed CNN on Monday night that she would support Kennedy’s nomination.
Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, had warned Kennedy against any actions that could disrupt polio vaccination plans. He may still vote against Kennedy, but even if all Democratic Senators join him, McConnell’s vote alone would not be enough to block the nomination.
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Translated and rewritten news article from Taiwan News dated February 13, 2025:
【Epoch Times, February 13, 2025】On Wednesday morning, the US Senate voted 53-47 to approve the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), ending the debate surrounding his nomination. The final confirmation vote is scheduled for Thursday.
If the final confirmation vote aligns with the procedural vote, Kennedy will officially assume the role of HHS Secretary.
A crucial vote in support of Kennedy came from Bill Cassidy, Chairman of the Senate Health Committee and a Republican Senator from Louisiana. Initially hesitant due to Kennedy’s views on vaccines, Cassidy ultimately voted in favor after engaging in detailed discussions with Kennedy and Vice President Vance.
Other pivotal swing vote Senators decided to follow the stance of their respective parties. Democratic Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, who had previously shown openness to Kennedy’s viewpoints, recently announced his intention to vote against the nomination. Meanwhile, Republican Senator Susan Collins from Maine confirmed her support for Kennedy’s nomination in an interview with CNN on Monday night.
Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, a survivor of polio, had cautioned Kennedy against any actions that could jeopardize polio vaccination efforts. While McConnell may still vote against Kennedy, even with unanimous support from all Democratic Senators, his solitary vote would not suffice to impede the nomination.