Sen. Collins: Will Vote to Confirm RFK Jr.
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SUMMARY
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced she’ll vote to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, giving a crucial boost to one of President Trump’s most controversial Cabinet picks. With the GOP holding a narrow majority in the Senate, Collins' support could make all the difference if other Republicans waver. Collins said Kennedy's promise to reconsider the administration’s planned cuts to NIH funding for university research swayed her decision. “He seemed to understand my concerns,” she told CNN, adding that Kennedy vowed to reexamine the cuts if confirmed. The senator, who chairs the Appropriations Committee, has been a vocal critic of the funding reductions, calling them "poorly conceived" and harmful to medical research. The Senate Finance Committee recently advanced Kennedy’s nomination by a slim 14-13 vote along party lines. With a full Senate vote expected soon, Collins’ backing signals smoother sailing for Kennedy's confirmation.