Senate Breaks Filibuster On Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Nomination

On Wednesday, the GOP-led Senate voted to break the filibuster on President Donald Trump‘s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to become the secretary of Health and Human Services.

The vote to invoke cloture was 53-47 along party lines. After debate on the Cabinet pick wraps up, a final confirmation vote is expected on Thursday.

Kennedy Jr. is the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated while in office in 1963; and the son of Robert F. Kennedy, a former U.S. attorney general and U.S. senator who was assassinated in 1968 as he ran for president. Kennedy Jr. ran for the Democrat presidential nomination in the 2024 cycle but later shifted to an independent bid to protest how the party was conducting the process, including a lack of primary debates. After dropping out, Kennedy joined forces with Trump. He pushed a “Make America Healthy Again” platform in a nod to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” mantra.

Trump nominated Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department in November.

“I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS),” Trump said in a statement. “For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health.”

Trump added: “The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country. Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!”

Kennedy Jr. earned a reputation as an environmental lawyer and best-selling author, but in recent years, he has garnered attention for his skeptical stance on vaccines. During his confirmation hearings, Kennedy Jr. denied that he was anti-vaccine and insisted that he was rather “pro-safety.” He also vowed to transfer his financial interest in lawsuits connected to vaccines to his adult son.

A critical breakthrough happened right before Kennedy Jr. advanced out of committee by a 14-13 vote along party lines last week. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a doctor who previously said he was “struggling” with the nomination, announced he would support Kennedy after “intense conversations” with the Cabinet pick and the White House over the weekend and right up until the morning of the vote.

“I want to thank [Vice President JD Vance] specifically for his honest counsel. With the serious commitments I’ve received from the administration and the opportunity to make progress on the issues we agree on like healthy foods and a pro-American agenda, I will vote yes,” Cassidy said.

The final confirmation vote will likely be close. The Republicans, who have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, may not all vote for him. Meanwhile, the Democrats and independents who caucus with them are poised to put up a united front against his nomination. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), who had shown openness to some of Trump’s nominees, said last week he would not vote for Kennedy Jr. or Tulsi Gabbard, who was ultimately confirmed as Director of National Intelligence on Wednesday.

“I have met with most of the cabinet nominees and have carefully watched their confirmation hearings,” Fetterman said. “After considering what’s at stake, I have voted against moving forward to the confirmation of Ms. Gabbard and Mr. Kennedy, and will be voting NO on their confirmations.”