A survivor of childhood polio, McConnell said in a statement he's watched vaccines save millions of lives and he will not condone the "re-litigation of proven cures" — alluding to Kennedy's well-documented history of sowing distrust in vaccines and encouraging suspicion in settled science.
The former Republican leader wrote that "trafficking in dangerous conspiracy theories and eroding trust in public health institutions" doesn't entitle Kennedy to provide scientific guidance.
The vote count is a repeat of the confirmation of former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as national intelligence director — with all Senate Republicans except for McConnell choosing to endorse President Trump's choice, despite bipartisan concerns.
With Thursday's vote, Kennedy will now head the $1.7 trillion U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
