Business meeting to consider the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., of California, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Committee on Finance

2025-02-04

Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The committee convened to consider the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). After a lengthy debate and statements from various members, the nomination was reported favorably by a narrow vote of 14 ayes to 13 nays. Members expressed strong opinions both for and against his confirmation, highlighting his qualifications, ethical concerns, and stance on public health issues[ 00:27:58-00:28:00 ] .

Support for Robert Kennedy Jr.'s Nomination

Supporters championed Mr. Kennedy as a potential catalyst for change within the nation's healthcare system. The committee chair highlighted his career-long fight against chronic illness and advocacy for healthcare transparency for both patients and taxpayers[ 00:27:32 ] . She noted that he diligently answered over 900 questions for the record and even amended his ethics agreement beyond what was required. Senator Tillis expressed hope that Kennedy would "go wild" to reduce healthcare costs, improve Medicaid, enhance food safety, and streamline healthcare supply chains, viewing him as a "disruptor" who could bring accountability through his legal background. Tillis also observed a lack of organized opposition from credible groups across various sectors, suggesting a tacit approval for his nomination.

Opposition to Robert Kennedy Jr.'s Nomination

Opponents strongly criticized Mr. Kennedy, with Senator Wyden asserting that he is "singularly unfit" for the role. Wyden detailed Kennedy's extensive history of espousing anti-vaccine views and spreading misinformation, including linking vaccines to autism in numerous instances. He also cited Kennedy's evasiveness during his hearing regarding settled science on vaccinations, and his dismissal of established facts about the Samoa measles outbreak. Concerns were also raised about Kennedy's understanding of abortion rights and his "woeful ignorance" of major programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which many members found disqualifying. Senator Cantwell, despite her family's historical ties, stated her "no" vote was due to Kennedy's inability to affirm support for vaccine data and the need for a strong leader in medical science and global health at HHS. Senator Warnock questioned Kennedy's character, competence, and priorities, expressing distrust in his ability to oversee the CDC and arguing he was more obsessed with conspiracy theories than solutions for healthcare costs. Senator Warren specifically highlighted Kennedy's ethical conflicts regarding financial interests in vaccine litigation, noting his attempt to transfer assets to his son as a "fig leaf" to obscure continued personal gain. Senator Welch further elaborated on Kennedy's lack of experience in managing large medical organizations and his focus on vaccine theories rather than healthcare affordability.

Concerns Regarding Government Integrity

Senator Wyden expressed alarm over an alleged "authoritarian takeover" of the federal government by Elon Musk and Donald Trump[ 00:28:45 ] . He claimed they were conducting a "full purge" of officials and had taken control of the Treasury Department's payment system, directly impacting major programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid[ 00:29:04-00:29:25 ] . Wyden specifically cited that Trump and Musk "killed" previously passed pharmacy benefit manager legislation, deeming these actions of "dubious legality and constitutional authority". He urged colleagues to stand up against these abuses, which he believes make a "mockery of the power Republicans hold in their congressional majority".

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting maintained a largely contentious and divided tone, characterized by strong disagreements regarding the nominee's fitness for office. While the committee chair initially presented a supportive stance for the nomination, the subsequent remarks from other senators, particularly the ranking member Senator Wyden, were sharply critical, involving accusations of misinformation, incompetence, and ethical compromises. Procedural discussions were interspersed with passionate arguments and calls for integrity and scientific adherence. The narrow vote, with nearly equal numbers of "ayes" and "nays," further underscored the deep partisan and ideological split on the nomination.

Participants

Transcript

The committee will come to order.
We are meeting today to consider the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.  to be Secretary of the U.S.  Department of Health and Human Services.
R
Ron Wyden
We are still waiting to get all of our members here, and while we wait for that to occur, we will proceed with statements.  And I will proceed first, then Senator Wyden, and then we will rotate from one side to the other until we are at a point where we are prepared for the vote.
Mr. Kennedy, if confirmed, will have the opportunity to deliver much-needed change to our nation's health care system.
R
Ron Wyden
He has spent his career fighting to end America's chronic illness epidemic and has been a leading advocate for health care transparency, both for patients and for taxpayers.
Mr. Kennedy has also clearly responded to our questions during the rigorous due diligence process in his hearing also and in the course of answering over 900 questions for the record that were asked by members of this committee.  In response to members of the committee, Mr. Kennedy has even amended his ethics agreement going beyond what is required by the Government Office of Ethics.
R
Ron Wyden
Mr. Kennedy has proven his commitment to the role of Secretary of the HHS, and I will vote in favor of his nomination.  I strongly encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same.
And with that, I recognize our ranking member, Senator Wyden, for his remarks.   Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.  I'll have a brief statement, and then several of my colleagues on our side are also going to make brief statements.
R
Ron Wyden
This morning, we're going to vote on Robert Kennedy's nomination to serve as our nation's chief healthcare officer.
Before we get to Mr. Kennedy and why I believe he is singularly unfit to serve as HHS Secretary, I'd like to say this.
R
Ron Wyden
The last several days we've witnessed an authoritarian takeover of our federal government by Elon Musk and Donald Trump.
They have set their sights on a full purge of anyone in government that doesn't bend the knee and follow their orders.  They've taken over the Treasury Department's payment system.
R
Ron Wyden
and colleagues that has a direct effect on major programs within our committee's jurisdiction that includes Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.  For example, this committee voted for a major reform of pharmacy benefit manager legislation.
We passed it 26 to nothing, but Trump and Musk killed it.   think what they could do with abuse of the payment system.  Now, in my view, much of this is of dubious legality and constitutional authority and certainly flies in face of congressional responsibilities.
R
Ron Wyden
I'll wrap up on this point by saying I hope our colleagues on the other side of the aisle will not sit by while Musk and Trump make a mockery of the power Republicans hold in their congressional majority.
Now more than ever, the American people need leaders that will stand up to these abuses.
R
Ron Wyden
That brings me to Mr. Kennedy.
A recent analysis showed that Mr. Kennedy has made 114 separate appearances in just the last four years where he has espoused anti-vaccine views or spread information about the efficacy of vaccines.
R
Ron Wyden
misinformation, specifically.  In 36 of those instances, Mr. Kennedy directly linked vaccines to autism.   Last week, Mr. Kennedy was given ample authority on a bipartisan basis to recant his decades-long career peddling anti-vaccine conspiracies.
Instead, he spent his time with us dodging and weaving and gave no indication that if confirmed as HHS secretary, he would stand by the long-settled science surrounding routine vaccinations.   Just take the Samoa measles outbreak as an example.
R
Ron Wyden
Mr. Kennedy told me, and I quote, we don't know what was killing them, speaking about the 83 measles deaths during an outbreak of the disease in 2019.
Just yesterday, colleagues, the Director General of Health from Samoa called this claim a total fabrication.
R
Ron Wyden
peddling these conspiracy theories as the nation's chief health officer is going to be deadly for kids across the country.
On abortion, Mr. Kennedy's answers once again raised still more questions.  He refused to tell us whether he would blindly follow a directive from Donald Trump to break the law and end access to Mifepristone.
R
Ron Wyden
and he seemed to have no understanding of his role in enforcing existing federal laws that guarantee women the right to life-saving abortion care.
Mr. Kennedy also failed on several occasions to show a basic understanding of the Medicare and Medicaid programs he would be tasked with overseeing.  Colleagues, that alone should be disqualifying.
R
Ron Wyden
Mr. Kennedy has given us no reason to believe there will be anything other than a rubber stamp for plans to gut Medicaid and rip health care away from the American people and be a yes man if ordered by Musk or Trump to take an illegal action.
I close with this, colleagues.  Today, we're going to make a judgment about the future of science in this country.  We're going to make decisions that are going to impact the health and well-being of Americans for years to come.   I agree, and I say this to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, that the healthcare status quo needs substantial changes so we get better, more affordable care to patients.
R
Ron Wyden
And that leaves, given my statement, the question in front of us now that's pretty simple.   Do senators want their legacy to include disregarding basic health science and instead elevate conspiracy theorists?  Making Robert Kennedy Secretary of Health and Human Services, in my view, colleagues, would be a grave threat to the health of the American people.

Sign up for free to see the full transcript

Accounts help us prevent bots from abusing our site. Accounts are free and will allow you to access the full transcript.

Sign up