February 13,2025

Crapo Supports RFK Jr. for HHS Secretary

Crapo Supports RFK Jr. for HHS Secretary

Washington, D.C.--The United States Senate today confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by a vote of 52-48.  In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) spoke to Mr. Kennedy’s vision for HHS and his commitment to prioritizing consumer choice and transparency.

“When his nomination for the role of Secretary of HHS was announced, Mr. Kennedy stated, ‘We have a generational opportunity to bring together the greatest minds in science, medicine, industry, and government to put an end to the chronic disease epidemic.  I agree with him.  We have got to get into the business of making America healthy again,” said Crapo.  “He will bring a fresh perspective to health care, prioritizing consumer choice, information transparency and early interventions to strengthen the well-being of all Americans. . . . I encourage my colleagues to support his nomination.”

Mr. Kennedy’s nomination was previously reported favorably out of the Senate Finance Committee by a bipartisan vote of 14 to 13.

Watch Crapo's remarks here. 

Read Senator Crapo’s full remarks below:

“Thank you, Mr. President.

“I rise today in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of his confirmation.

“Contrary to the attacks that have constantly been made on him, he has made it very clear that he will support safe vaccinations and just wants to see that research is done and done well.

“When his nomination for the role of Secretary of HHS was announced, Mr. Kennedy stated, ‘We have a generational opportunity to bring together the greatest minds in science, medicine, industry, and government to put an end to the chronic disease epidemic.’

“I agree with him.  We have got to get into the business of making America healthy again.

“Mr. Kennedy’s dedication to this commitment has been apparent throughout his nomination process.

“He will bring a fresh perspective to health care, prioritizing consumer choice, information transparency and early interventions to strengthen the well-being of all Americans.

“He has been responsive to a wide variety of questions from Members on both sides of the aisle, appearing before two Committees and answering hundreds of questions for the record.

“Not to mention going through the extensive vetting process of the Finance Committee, which is the most extensive vetting process that any candidate for the Administration goes through in the Senate.

“While some of my colleagues continue to question his financial agreements, Mr. Kennedy met and then exceeded the requirements set forth by the Office of Government Ethics. 

“I encourage a strong ‘yes’ vote for Robert F. Kennedy to be the next Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services.”