Senate Committees to Hold Hearings on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services

This week, the Senate will consider the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), one of the largest federal agencies. Kennedy is scheduled to appear before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, January 29, followed by a second hearing with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee on Thursday, January 30.

If confirmed, Kennedy would lead HHS in overseeing a wide range of programs and agencies that impact public health, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among others. The department also plays a central role in responding to public health challenges and implementing health care policy.

The hearings will provide senators the opportunity to hear from Kennedy about his qualifications, priorities for the department, and plans for addressing pressing health care issues. These sessions are a standard part of the Senate’s confirmation process and offer a forum for examining the nominee’s approach to managing HHS’ substantial responsibilities.