Senate Democrats expressed strong opposition to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) during a late-night session on Wednesday, just ahead of his confirmation vote scheduled for Thursday morning. The session highlighted the contentious nature of Kennedy’s candidacy, with numerous senators criticizing his qualifications and views, particularly regarding public health and vaccines.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, representing New York, led the charge against Kennedy, labeling him as "obviously unqualified" and "fringe." Schumer articulated concerns that Kennedy’s beliefs could be harmful to the health and well-being of Americans, stating, "Robert F. Kennedy might be the least qualified person the president could have chosen for the job." He emphasized that the HHS requires a leader grounded in science and evidence, arguing that Kennedy’s history contradicts these essential qualifications.
The Democratic senators’ criticisms were rooted in Kennedy’s controversial stance on vaccines, which many argue promotes misinformation. Schumer pointed out that the HHS oversees critical health services, including food safety, medication reliability, and Medicare benefits, warning that Kennedy’s lack of relevant experience could jeopardize these functions. He expressed fear that Kennedy would support cuts to health coverage and prioritize corporate interests over public health.
Kennedy’s confirmation vote, expected around 10:30 a.m. ET, comes after a series of pointed remarks from senators. Schumer’s comments were echoed by several of his colleagues, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen from Maryland, who stated that Kennedy lacks the necessary experience in the broad array of subjects that HHS handles. Van Hollen remarked that Kennedy’s record does not align with his claim of following the evidence, particularly regarding vaccination, a critical public health issue.
Sen. Peter Welch from Vermont read a letter from Caroline Kennedy, Robert Kennedy’s cousin and former U.S. ambassador to Australia, who voiced her concerns about his nomination. In her letter, she described her cousin as unqualified, lacking the necessary expertise to oversee agencies like the FDA and CDC, which are tasked with protecting vulnerable populations. She criticized his views on vaccines as dangerous and misleading.
Other senators, including Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Andy Kim of New Jersey, also voiced their opposition. Murphy asserted that Kennedy has been influential in spreading conspiracy theories about health, while Kim expressed his inability to trust Kennedy with the health of American families, citing his history of disinformation.
As the Senate prepares for the upcoming vote, the Democratic opposition underscores a deep divide over Kennedy’s nomination, reflecting broader concerns about public trust in health leadership amid ongoing debates about vaccine safety and public health policy. The outcome of the confirmation vote will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the direction of health policy under the Trump administration.