Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cleared a crucial hurdle for confirmation as Health and Human Services secretary. Here's what happens next in the Senate

Kennedy’s nomination has faced myriad concerns from both parties, with Republicans particularly eying his past support for abortion, his record suing big business as an environmental lawyer and his 2023 run for president as a Democrat.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the controversial environmental lawyer turned public health critic, is set to find out on Tuesday if he has cleared the first hurdle to become the nation’s top health official when the Senate Finance Committee votes on his nomination.

The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday voted along party lines to support the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary—a key victory for one of President Donald Trump’s most controversial cabinet picks, after some GOP lawmakers remained on the fence due to Kennedy’s claims about vaccines.

Kennedy Jr. , a vocal vaccine skeptic and activist lawyer, appeared on track to become the nation’s health secretary after winning the crucial support of Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, a doctor who says Kennedy has assured him he would not topple the nation’s childhood vaccination program.

A key Senate committee supports Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump's pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services. The full Senate will vote on his nomination.

Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, a doctor who had expressed wariness about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s anti-vaccine views, cleared the path on Tuesday for Kennedy to become the top health official in President Donald Trump's administration.

All eyes were on Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican and longtime doctor who expressed deep concern about Kennedy's history of anti-vaccine comments.