Committee approves RFK Jr. along party lines

By Ellie Borst | 02/04/2025 01:51 PM EST

Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy voted for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. despite concerns about the nominee’s comments about vaccines.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies during his confirmation hearing.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appearing before the Senate Finance Committee last month. Francis Chung/POLITICO

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appears likely to become the nation’s top health official after a key Republican decided to support the nomination.

The Senate Finance Committee approved Kennedy as President Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of Health and Human Services. The vote broke along party lines.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) has been among a handful of Republicans concerned about the nominee’s refusal to denounce past remarks on vaccines causing autism, a thoroughly debunked theory.

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Cassidy, a former gastroenterologist, said he had multiple meetings with Kennedy and White House officials, particularly Vice President JD Vance, who promised he and Kennedy would have “an unprecedentedly close relationship.”

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