Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has cleared his first hurdle to become the nation’s top health official as the Senate finance committee voted to advance his nomination for a floor vote.

Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican torn between his concerns as a doctor and supporting President Trump, voted to send Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as health secretary to the full Senate.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is seeking the support of the Republican-controlled Senate in his bid to become the nation’s top health official.

If approved, Kennedy will control a $1.7 trillion agency that oversees food and hospital inspections, hundreds of health clinics, vaccine recommendations and health insurance for roughly half the country.

After watching 6-plus hours of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifying before two Senate committees, I have no idea whether he'll be confirmed as HHS secretary — I could see it going either way. Yes, but: It was still incredibly interesting to watch Kennedy reintroduce himself after decades in the public eye,

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's pick for health secretary, moved closer to securing the job on Tuesday, winning approval from a key Republican senator and a recommendation from the Finance Committee to advance him to a full Senate vote as soon as this week.

A key Senate committee supported Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump's pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services. The full Senate will vote on his nomination.

WASHINGTON >> Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s pick for health secretary, moved closer to securing the job today, winning approval from a key Republican senator and a recommendation from the Finance Committee to advance him to a full Senate vote as soon as this week.

Kennedy's nomination has faced myriad concerns from both parties, with Republicans particularly eying his past support for abortion, his record suing big business as an environmental lawyer and his 2023 run for president as a Democrat.