Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent lawyer and vocal vaccine critic, has been confirmed as the United States’ new health secretary Thursday morning, following a 52-48 vote by the U.S. Senate.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) role controls US$1.7 trillion in spending for vaccines, food safety and health insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid for roughly half the country’s population, not to mention medical research, public health outreach, hospital oversight and funding for community health care clinics.
Despite several Republicans expressing deep skepticism about his views on vaccines, Kennedy cruised to a confirmation win. Republican senators have largely embraced Kennedy’s vision, reciting his newly hatched slogan to “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) in speeches.
Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the former majority leader and a polio survivor, was the sole Republican to vote against the confirmation. All Democrats opposed Kennedy.
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McConnell explained his votein a blistering statement posted on his …