WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — President-elect Donald Trump has named notoriously anti-health establishment Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the country’s Department of Health and Human Services. On Thursday, Kennedy met with Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Capitol Hill.
“It was good,” Kennedy said after the meeting.
Democrats have seized on Kennedy’s claims about vaccines. He previously claimed that they were linked to autism.
“He told me he’s not anti-vaxxer,” Cornyn said. “He is an advocate for vaccine safety.”
Kennedy needs 51 senators to vote for his confirmation. Republicans have 53 seats in the US Senate.
“I intend to support his nomination,” Cornyn said. “President Trump is entitled to his team barring exceptional circumstances.”
Senate hearings for President-elect Trump’s nominees will begin as early as next week. The Senate Armed Services Committee is scheduled to hear from Defense Secretary nominee and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth.
“The Senate will provide a fair trial to every presidential nominee,” said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the Senate Majority Leader.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter to Hegseth asking him to address allegations of excessive drinking, sexual assault and mismanagement of veterans organizations’ finances. Hegseth denies these allegations.
“Your past behavior and rhetoric demonstrate that you are unfit to lead the Department of Defense,” Warren wrote.
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) also sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee and will be able to question Hegseth.
“I think he will scrap DEI and focus on China and procurement reform,” Schmitt said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) accused Republicans of trying to rush President-elect Trump’s nominees through the process.
“It’s hard not to wonder: What are Republicans trying to hide from the American people about these candidates?” Schumer asked.
Republicans said they hope some of President-elect Trump’s nominees will be confirmed shortly after his inauguration.
