Washington – controversial environmental advocate Robert F. Kennedy Junior replaced the public health critic, on Tuesday approved its first hurdle to become the country’s top health officer when the Senate Finance Committee voted to carry forward its nomination for a floor vote.
Republican voted together to carry forward their nomination, while Democrats opposed everyone.
His enrollment will now face a full Senate vote, despite the concerns about the work he has done to doubt the vaccine safety and his ability to remove the cases on drug makers.
To gain control of the $ 1.7 trillion Health and Human Services Agency, Kennedy will require support from three Republicans if the democrats alike oppose them.
Republican Sen Bill Cassidi of Louisiana, who is also a physician and sit in the Finance Committee, voted to carry forward Kennedy’s confirmation. Last week, during Kennedy’s hearing, Cassidi repeatedly inspired Kennedy to reject a disorganized principle, which does not cause vaccine autism, of no avail. He ended the hearing, saying that he was “struggling” with votes.
“Your past, while reducing confidence in vaccines with unfounded or misleading arguments, worries me,” Cassidi told Kennedy.
Republican sensor. Susan Colins of Main, Lisa Murkovski of Alaska and Mich McConel of Kentki are also seen as possible votes, as they have voted against Namini, the defense secretary of President Donald Trump and Kennedy’s anti-euxyin work Has expressed concern about.
In a CBS “60 minute” interview aired on Sunday, McConal refused to say how he would vote on Kennedy’s nomination, but “vaccines are seriously important.”
Meanwhile, Democrats, raise alarms about Kennedy’s ability, which are financially benefited by changing the vaccine guidelines or weakening the security of the federal trial against the vaccine manufacturers when confirmed as a health secretary.
“It is possible that many different types of vaccine-related decisions and communication-which you will be empowered to make and influence as secretaries-may be important financial compensation for your family,” Democratic sensor. Oregon wrote to Kennedy in a letter sent over the weekend.
Kennedy said that he would give his son all of referral fees in legal matters against vaccine manufacturers, including the fees that he gets from referring to customers in a case against Merc. Kennedy told the committee that he has sent hundreds of customers to a law firm, prosecuting the gardassil of Merc, the human papillomavirus vaccine that prevents cervical cancer. He has earned $ 2.5 million from the deal in the last three years.
As Secretary, Kennedy will oversee vaccine recommendations and public health campaigns for $ 1.7 trillion agency, which is also responsible for food and hospital inspection, provides health insurance for millions of Americans and research on deadly diseases.
Kennedy, a long -time Democrat, ran to the President, but withdrew to throw his support to Trump in exchange for an impressive job in his Republican administration. Together, they have formed a new and unusual alliance made of conservatives who oppose vaccines and liberals who want to see the government promoting healthy foods. Trump and Kennedy have made the movement a brand as “making America healthy”.