Senate panel advances RFK Jr's nomination for HHS secretary to final floor vote

A Senate panel on Tuesday morning advanced the nomination for Robert F. Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services to a final floor vote. 

The GOP-controlled Senate Finance Committee voted along party lines, 14-13, with Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, a doctor concerned about Kennedy's stance on vaccines, casting the decisive vote.

The committee vote almost assures Kennedy of being confirmed, considering Republicans have an overall 53-47 Senate majority, with GOP Vice President JD Vance able to cast a tie vote. The chamber makeup means as many as three Republicans could vote against Kennedy and he could still be appointed HHS secretary.