The nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services cleared the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, as a key Republican senator on that committee assented to his confirmation.

The committee voted for RFK Jr. 14-13 along party lines, sending his nomination to the Senate floor for a vote, probably next week. 

Kennedy managed to allay concerns raised by Sen. Bill Cassidy, a doctor, was the one potential swing vote on the panel. Last week, he signaled that he held serious reservations over whether Kennedy was qualified to lead the vast agency, saying he was “struggling” with his decision after questioning him at two confirmation hearings.

In addition to the Finance Committee, Cassidy serves as chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

In a statement posted on X before Tuesday’s vote, Cassidy said he had “very intense conversations” with Kennedy and the White House over the weekend, specifically thanking Vice President JD Vance “for his honest” counsel, according to media reports.

“With the serious commitments I’ve received from the administration and the opportunity to make progress on the issues we agree on like healthy foods and a pro-American agenda, I will vote yes,” Cassidy said.

Cassidy had said he needed to hear an unequivocal statement from Kennedy that vaccines do not cause autism and indicate he would listen to well-established science on the matter. It was unclear whether Kennedy had made that assertion.