Collins Backs RFK Jr. for Health Secretary, Almost Guaranteeing His Confirmation
Maine’s senior senator has been seen as a pivotal swing vote on the president’s Cabinet nominees, though she has rarely broken rank thus far.
Senator Collins will vote to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as America’s next Health and Human Services secretary following a dicey confirmation process for the nominee that saw several GOP senators question his commitment to science and the efficacy of vaccines. The Maine senator’s support nearly guarantees that he will make it through the Senate, with just a small band of other Republicans currently mum on their own position.
The health secretary nominee will have to pass what is known as a cloture vote — or a vote to end debate — early Wednesday morning, shortly after midnight. Once the Senate passes that process, Mr. Kennedy’s final confirmation vote will come the following day on Thursday, following a 30-hour period of speeches on his nomination. Senator Kaine previously informed the New York Sun that Democrats plan to use all of that time to delay Mr. Kennedy’s confirmation by as many hours as possible.
A login link has been sent to
Enter your email to read this article.
Get 2 free articles when you subscribe.
