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Senate committee forwards Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary

The Senate Committee on Finance has advanced the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on a party-line vote.

During the vote, Republican Thom Tillis of North Carolina said he could not find organized opposition from the agriculture community and other groups, and believed the silence to be consent.

“People from the agriculture industry called me and expressed concerns, but I’m not aware of any organized, credible group, the Farm Bureau, the Department of Ag Commissioners or others who have said that we should vote against Mr. Kennedy,” he said.

Democrats have raised concerns about Kennedy’s experience, ethics, and have asked him to recuse himself from matters that are a conflict of interest including ongoing anti-vaccine litigation if approved.

Kennedy has spoken out against GMOs, pesticides, factory farming, and processed foods as part of his time as an environmental lawyer.

The full Senate is expected to vote on the appointment as early as next week.