Kennedy making the rounds of Senate offices. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation hearing for HHS secretary could take place the last week of January, Senate Finance Chair Mike Crapo told Axios, as Trump's pick continues to make his case with senators this week.
Why it matters: Kennedy faces controversy over his long history of vaccine criticism, and a hearing could also feature fireworks over past, sometimes misleading statements on alternative cures, nutrition and fluoride in drinking water.
What they're saying: Crapo suggested his panel would hold one of two confirmation hearings on Kennedy at the end of this month, which would mean a floor vote would likely slip to February.
- "I don't know that we'll get it ready until the last week [of January] because of the paperwork," Crapo said, noting that he wants to move soon but that the panel is "in the process of getting all the [nomination] paperwork set up."
Driving the news: Kennedy had a key meeting Wednesday with Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, a physician who is one of the most closely watched GOP senators on the nomination. The HELP panel will also get to question Kennedy, but only Finance will vote on whether to advance Kennedy's nomination.
- Cassidy didn't directly answer whether Kennedy assuaged his concerns on the vaccine front, telling Axios: "We just had a good conversation."
- Asked how he would vote, Cassidy, who also sits on the Finance Committee, said: "I'm always being asked to say, 'Okay, what are you going to do?' before the process is through. I think for nominees throughout my Senate career, it's been one step at a time."
- Cassidy told Fox News in an interview over the weekend that Kennedy is "wrong" on vaccines, but that he agreed with some of his other priorities like concerns with ultra-processed foods.
The other side: Democrats are highlighting vaccine concerns, pointing to a measles outbreak in Samoa in 2019 following a visit from Kennedy, during which he met with anti-vaccine figures.
- Democratic Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, a physician who helped respond to Samoa's outbreak, has been urging senators to sink Kennedy's nomination.
Between the lines: Senate Democrats have not been raising alarms at the same level, however, and there is some speculation Kennedy could even pick up a few Democratic votes, given some lawmakers' interest in issues like healthful foods.
- HELP Committee Ranking Member Bernie Sanders met with Kennedy on Wednesday. His office didn't provide a readout or statement afterward.
- Some senators are more openly enthusiastic about Kennedy. Sen. Roger Marshall said vaccines did not come up at all in a meeting he described as "tremendous," and that "nutritious foods" and "food additives" could be early areas of focus for Kennedy.
- Sen. John Cornyn said Thursday that he would support the nomination after a meeting with Kennedy that included questions about vaccines.
- "He told me he is not anti-vaccine, he is pro vaccine safety, which strikes me as a rational position to take," Cornyn told reporters after the meeting.
- "I asked him … 'What about some of the normal childhood vaccines?' and he said, 'Well, these are well-tested and time-tested for safety,'" Cornyn added.
- Kennedy has in the past falsely linked vaccines to autism.
