The Senate Finance Committee held a confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of health and human services on Jan. 29, 2025. At the time the hearing ended, the committee had not scheduled a meeting to vote on his nomination. Kennedy must receive a majority approval vote in the committee before his nomination can be put up for a confirmation vote before the full Senate. 

President Donald Trump (R) nominated Kennedy on Nov. 14, 2024. Trump said of Kennedy’s nomination, “The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country. Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!”

The Senate Finance Committee is chaired by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is the ranking Democratic member. To watch the full hearing, click here.

This was the eighth day of confirmation hearings for Trump’s Cabinet nominees. The first hearing was held on Jan. 14, 2025, for secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth. To read more about the confirmation process for Trump’s Cabinet nominees, click here.