Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Confirmed Health Secretary

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed by the United States as President Donald Trump's health secretary, taking control of the United States — United States Department of Health and Human Services, which manages $1.7 trillion in federal spending, vaccine recommendations, and food safety. The confirmation vote was 52-48, with most United States — Republican Party (United States) senators supporting him despite concerns over his vaccine skepticism, while all United States — Democratic Party (United States) senators opposed. Mitch McConnell was the sole Republican to vote against. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expressed a vision to 'Make America Healthy Again' by focusing on chronic diseases and has called for staffing overhauls at the United States — Food and Drug Administration, United States — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and United States — National Institutes of Health, even vowing to fire 600 employees at the United States — National Institutes of Health. Concerns were raised during Senate hearings about his potential financial benefits from changing vaccine guidelines, as he made over $850,000 last year from a law firm that sued vaccine makers, though he promised to reroute these fees to his son. The transition occurs amidst a broader federal government shakeup led by Elon Musk, which has temporarily impacted public health funding.