Senate committee advances Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nomination to be health secretary

By AMANDA SEITZ and STEPHEN GROVES
Associated Press

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has cleared his first hurdle to become the nation’s top health official as the Senate finance committee voted to advance his nomination for a floor vote.

After Tuesday’s committee vote, the nomination of the controversial environmental lawyer turned public health critic now goes before a full Senate vote.

Kennedy critics have concerns about the work he’s done to sow doubts around vaccine safety and his potential to profit off lawsuits over drugmakers.

Kennedy is a longtime Democrat who ran for president but withdrew to support Donald Trump in exchange for an influential job in his Republican administration.

As secretary, Kennedy would oversee vaccine recommendations and public health campaigns.