Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed as the new head of the US Department of Human Health and Human Services (HHS), marking the beginning of a new era in American health policy after the former presidential candidate openly question the safety of vaccines used and promise to remove artificial food dyes from the US food supply.
It was approved in a widely partisan vote, with 52 votes in favor and 48 against, after tense confirmation hearings in which he was asked about the possibility of dismantling US immunization infrastructure and its change of position in relation to abortion policy.
Kennedy, who initially applied as a Democrat before moving to a third -way party and later suspending his campaign to support Trump, now will influence food and medicine administration (FDA), which It is approved of latest medical treatments, and US Disease Control and Prevention Centers (CDC), which issue recommendations for the use of vaccines and public health.
HHS also has a wide range in the daily lives and health of Americans, through their control over federal insurance programs for elderly and low -income citizens.
Republican Bill Cassidy, chairman of the Health, Education, Work and Pensions Committee, initially hesitated to bring Kennedy’s appointment to full vote, but eventually gave in. Cassidy, who is a doctor, said Kennedy promised to involve the senator in hiring decisions at HHS and that the agency would give Congress a 30 -day warning if it tried to reform public vaccination guidelines. In addition, Kennedy promised that he would not change the CDC immunization consultative committee, an independent body that establishes calendars and vaccination recommendations.
Kennedy participated in two confirmation hearings, both interrupted by protesters. After giving up the race, Kennedy renamed her campaign site as “Make America Healthy Again”, a reference to Trump’s campaign slogan. He gained skeptics support for vaccines, critics of US food additives, and the so -called “Maha mothers” – many of whom came to audiences.
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“Trump asked me to end the chronic disease epidemic and make America healthy again,” said Kennedy, receiving applause from his supporters in the Senate’s audience room. “I’m in a unique position to do this.”
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