Senate Democrats Condemn Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services
In a heated late-night session on Wednesday, Senate Democrats vehemently opposed the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) under President Donald Trump’s administration. The contentious debate foreshadowed Kennedy’s confirmation vote on Thursday morning.
Schumer: ‘Obviously Unqualified, Fringe, and Detrimental’
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) led the charge against Kennedy, describing him as "obviously unqualified, obviously fringe, and holding views obviously detrimental to the well-being of the American people." Schumer asserted Kennedy’s "complete lack of qualifications for the job" and accused him of holding beliefs that stand "in direct contradiction" to the role’s demands.
Schumer criticized Kennedy’s purported anti-vaccination stance, deeming it "dangerous" and rooted in "willful misinformation." He also expressed concern that Kennedy’s confirmation would "rubber stamp" Trump’s "war against healthcare," resulting in funding cuts and reduced health coverage for Americans.
Caroline Kennedy’s Scathing Letter
Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) read aloud a blistering letter from Kennedy’s cousin, Caroline Kennedy, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Australia under President Biden. In the letter, Caroline expressed deep reservations about her cousin’s qualifications, labeling him "unqualified to fill" the HHS position due to his lack of "relevant government financial management or medical expertise."
Caroline Kennedy also accused Kennedy of being "addicted to attention and power," preying on the vulnerabilities of parents with sick children by promoting misinformation about vaccines while vaccinating his own children. She labeled him a "predator" who has "spent his considerable talent promoting misinformation."
Democrats’ Concerns about Kennedy’s Influence
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) highlighted Kennedy’s opposition to contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act and his skepticism towards over-the-counter medication options. Van Hollen quoted President John F. Kennedy’s support for vaccination, lamenting that Kennedy’s nephew has "spent decades unraveling that hard-won legacy" by spreading "lies and conspiracy theories about vaccines."
Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) voiced concerns about Kennedy’s influence on public health messaging, blaming him for "internalizing and disseminating" conspiracy theories that have eroded trust in the healthcare system. Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) echoed Murphy’s sentiment, citing his own distrust of Kennedy with regards to the health of his family.
Kim: ‘Corruption and Conspiracy Disguised as False Promises of Change’
Kim denounced Kennedy’s claims linking the polio vaccine to cancer and the military’s alleged engineering of Lyme disease, criticizing him for "diminishing trust in the very healthcare he would be in charge of." Kim accused Kennedy of promoting "corruption and conspiracy disguised as false promises of change" and vowed to vote against his confirmation.
Confirmation Vote Looms
Despite the vociferous opposition from Senate Democrats, Kennedy’s confirmation vote proceeded as scheduled on Thursday morning. His supporters argued that his outspoken stance against the "broken system" and his desire to improve American health should be considered as strengths.
Ultimately, the Senate voted 47-47 on Kennedy’s nomination, with 47 Democrats opposing it and 46 Republicans and Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voting in favor. The nomination fell short of the 50 votes needed for confirmation.
