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On the Hill: Senate Finance Committee Advances HHS Secretary Nomination

February 4, 2025
Julia Grady

The confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the Health and Human Services remains a focal point of health policy discussion on Capitol Hill thus far in the 119th Congress.

The Senate Committee on Finance held an open executive session on Feb. 4 to consider favorably reporting the nomination. The committee voted along party lines to advance Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s nomination, and the nomination now goes to the full Senate for a vote.

This follows last week’s full committee hearing out of the Senate Committee on Finance and nomination hearing in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, where Republican senators largely expressed support for Kennedy, highlighting shared priorities on reform and transparency.

Conversely, Democratic senators challenged his credibility, scrutinizing past statements and positions on issues such as vaccines, Medicaid, and reproductive rights. Notably, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a gastroenterologist, refrained from taking a clear stance for or against the nomination, instead pressing Kennedy for clarity on key policy positions.

Comprehensive summaries of these hearings are available in Federal Action Network (FAN) Resource Center, accessible to all staff of association member hospitals who join the FAN.

Committee Activity This Week

The Senate is in session Monday, with the House joining it for session Tuesday through Friday.

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a Health Subcommittee hearing, “Combatting Existing and Emerging Illicit Drug Threats,” on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 10 am ET.

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