The controversial nomination of Robert Kennedy Jr. to be secretary of Health and Human Services is set to move forward next week when he will face questioning from a pair of Senate committees.
Kennedy is among the least-certain of President Donald Trump's nominees to be confirmed. Democrats, who cannot block Kennedy on their own, are expected to largely but not unanimously oppose him, and some Republicans have expressed concerns about Kennedy's views on vaccines and his past support for abortion rights.
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Yet the mere fact that the Senate Finance Committee and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee have scheduled confirmation hearings suggests the White House and Senate GOP leadership are confident Kennedy will be confirmed.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who is a member of the Finance Committee and is one of Kennedy's most vocal supporters, predicted he will overcome any GOP skepticism and win Democratic votes. The Senate has 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats and two independents aligned with the Democrats.