One of President Donald Trump’s most controversial cabinet picks passed an important hurdle on his way to confirmation.
The Senate Finance Committee’s 14 Republicans voted in favor of Kennedy while all of the 13 Democrats voted against. All eyes were on Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana physician who chose to vote for Kennedy after what he said was an internal struggle over Kennedy’s stance on vaccines and following two days of contentious confirmation hearings.
Florida Senator Rick Scott rallied support for RFK and President Trump on X shortly after the committee vote, tweeting: “We’re fighting every day to get President Donald Trump’s team confirmed. Obama had 23 confirmed nominees at this point, Trump only has 9. But we’re not giving up.”
A full Senate vote has not been scheduled. Kennedy needs at least 50 senators to secure his nomination. Vice President J.D. Vance could cast the tie-breaking vote.
