The United States Senate voted to install Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the helm of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy, who was seen using Alp brand nicotine pouches during his confirmation hearings, has not disclosed his plans for the U.S Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products and its controversial authorization process for nicotine products.
Tony Abboud, executive director of the Vapor Technology Association (VTA), said he was thrilled to learn that Kennedy has been confirmed as the Secretary of HHS.
“Secretary Kennedy is a leader who understands the real issues harming the well-being of the American people,” said Abboud. “We applaud Senate Republicans for ensuring swift confirmation of an agency head who is vital to the restoration of science-based health policy in our nation.
“We look forward to working with President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and this administration’s other health officials to clean up the disastrous regulatory mess left behind by the Biden Administration. Together we can ensure that Americans have access to less harmful vaping alternatives to cigarettes and Make America Healthy Again.”
Kennedy faced opposition from the left for his decades of espousing conspiracy theories on vaccines and from the right for his past support of abortion rights. For several weeks, it was uncertain whether he had enough senators backing him to get through.
Yesterday, Democratic senators made speeches on the floor past midnight in protest. But on Thursday morning, he had the votes to be confirmed. The vote was 52 to 48. Sen. Mitch McConnell, the former Republican majority leader and a polio survivor, joined Democrats to vote against Kennedy.
Other health agencies that are part of HHS include the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health.
