FACT CHECK: No, The Senate Has Not Yet Confirmed RFK Jr As HHS Secretary As Of Feb. 7

Christine Sellers | Fact Check Reporter

A post shared on Facebook claims the U.S. Senate has confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Verdict: False

According to NBC News, the Senate Finance Committee has voted to advance Kennedy Jr.’s nomination. He has not yet been confirmed as HHS Secretary, however.

Fact Check:

Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman said he will vote against confirming Kennedy Jr. and former Hawaii Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, according to Fox News. Fetterman made the revelation via a recent post shared on X, the outlet reported.

The Facebook post, which has received over 700 likes as of writing, claims the U.S. Senate has confirmed Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary.

“JUST IN – U.S. Senate has confirmed RFK Jr.,” the post, which does not provide a source to support its claim, reads. The post also features a photo of Kennedy Jr.

The claim is false. According to a Feb. 4 article published by NBC News, the Senate Finance Committee voted 14 to 13 to advance Kennedy Jr.’s nomination. Now, Kennedy Jr.’s nomination will “head to the floor for consideration before the full Senate,” with a final vote occurring as soon as next week, ABC News reported.

Likewise, Kennedy Jr. has not referenced the claim made via the Facebook post on any of his verified social media accounts. President Donald Trump also does not appear to have publicly commented on the claim via his personal or government X accounts or his TRUTH Social account.

In addition, Check Your Fact found no credible news reports to support the claim. Actually, the opposite is true. On Feb. 6, USA Today debunked the claim. The outlet cited a press release from Idaho Republican Sen. Mike Crapo who said he “[looked] forward” to the full Senate vote on Kennedy Jr.’s nomination. (RELATED: No, Elon Musk Did Not Say People Who Protest Trump Will Be Suspended On X)

“RFK Jr. has demonstrated a commitment to ending the chronic disease epidemic and improving the transparency of our health care systems. I am eager to work with him to ensure Americans have access to quality, affordable health care and look forward to his nomination being considered by the full Senate,” Crapo, who is the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said.

Check Your Fact has contacted the White House for comment.

Christine Sellers

Fact Check Reporter

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