★ Government Action
Senate confirms Trump endorser Kennedy as HHS Secretary
Filed February 2025
★ The Brief
What happened
On February 13, 2025, the Senate confirmed Kennedy by a 52-48 vote. Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, cast the lone Republican vote against. Kennedy had endorsed Trump in August 2024 after suspending his independent presidential bid.
Who enabled it
Who benefits
On February 13, 2025, the Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services by a 52-48 vote. Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, cast the lone Republican vote against the nomination. Kennedy had launched an independent 2024 presidential campaign before suspending it in August 2024 and endorsing Trump; the endorsement-for-nomination arc was widely reported at the time. Trump announced the nomination on November 14, 2024.
Actors
Who pushed it · 1Who initiated, paid, or pushed the action.
Donald TrumpAnnounced Kennedy's nomination for HHS Secretary on November 14, 2024, following Kennedy's August 2024 endorsement after suspending his independent presidential bid.
Beneficiaries
Who gained · 1Who stood to gain.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services by 52-48 Senate vote on February 13, 2025. Suspended an independent 2024 presidential bid in August 2024 to endorse Trump. McConnell cast the lone Republican vote against confirmation.
Further reading
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