In a 52-48 vote on Thursday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services.
From the Mountain State, both senators—Republicans Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice—voted to confirm Kennedy.
Sen. Capito reacted to his confirmation, saying, “Coming from a state whose residents live with the impact of chronic diseases more than most, I agree with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that we need to Make America Healthy Again.”
“I look forward to working with him to combat the drug crisis in West Virginia and across the country, make the foods we are eating healthier, improve the transparency of our health care systems, and deliver better health care to more Americans,” said Sen. Capito.
Sen. Capito also said she is going to work closely with Kennedy to “make sure West Virginia’s priorities are considered” as chairman of the subcommittee responsible for funding the department.
Sen. Justice said on X, formerly Twitter, that RFK Jr., “Cares deeply about the well-being of Americans and wants to make sure Americans and West Virginians are living their healthiest lives.”
“I’m proud to stand with President Trump and support Robert Kennedy Jr. and his mission to Make America Healthy Again,” said Sen. Justice.
Every Republican but one—Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell—voted to confirm Kennedy as the nation’s top health official. Every Democrat and both independents in the U.S. Senate voted against it.