RFK Jr. Sworn In As HHS Secretary

RFK Jr. Sworn In As HHS Secretary

February 14, 2025–Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Thursday in the Oval Office. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsich administered the oath of office while President Trump and members of Kennedy's family looked on.

Kennedy was confirmed earlier Thursday by a 52-48 vote by the Senate. Alabama Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt both voted for Kennedy's confirmation.

Mitch McConnell was the sole Republican who joined with Democrats to oppose Kennedy. McConnell, the former Senate Majority Leader, also unsuccessfully opposed the nominations of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. He is also expected to oppose President Trump's nominee to head the FBi, Kash Patel.

Senator Tuberville posted on X: "Congratulations to my friend Robert Kennedy Jr. on your confirmation to lead HHS. Now, it's time to bring transparency to our vaccines, food, and healthcare. The Senate MAHA caucus is excited to work with you. "

MAHA-Make America Healthy Again-was a companion slogan to President Trump's MAGA during the 2024 campaign. Secretary Kennedy had been a candidate for President but suspended his campaign to support President Trump's re-election efforts.

Senator Britt's office released the following statement: "the state of chronic disease in America is limiting our potential and preventing our kids from achieving their own American Dream. We must turn the tide on America's health crisis-both mental and physical-and work together to Make America Healthy Again. President Trump's America First agenda demands this, and Robert F Kennedy, Jr. at the helm of HHS will ensure our federal health agencies adhere to the mission they are charged with bettering the health of the American people."

Stephanie Durnin, Director of Health Freedom Alabama responded to Kennedy's confirmation: "Today, we celebrate a hard-fought and hard-won victory for health freedom with the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services. This is a triumph for every American who stood up, spoke out, and refused to back down in the fight for transparency, accountability, and medical freedom. This victory belongs to all of us-the grassroots fighters, the tireless advocates, and every citizen who believed we deserved a health system that serves the people, not corporate interests."

Speaking immediately after taking his oath, Secretary Kennedy said:

"President Trump has promised to restore the American Dream in this country. A healthy person has a thousand dreams-a sick person only has one. Sixty percent of our population has only one Dream-that they get better."

As Secretary, Kennedy will oversee a budget of some $1.7 trillion in mandatory spending and $130.7 billion in discretionary spending. Together, these make HHS the largest federal department, exceeding even the Department of Defense's $842 billion (est. 2025 budget figures).

Secretary Kennedy's full remarks after being sworn in may be seen at https://www.yahoo.com/news/rfk-jr-speaks-swearing-ceremony-204906055.html