President Donald Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., may gain support from Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a longtime friend. However, Whitehouse has not yet confirmed his vote, waiting for Kennedy’s hearings next week before the Senate Finance and Health Committees. Kennedy faces mixed reactions: some Republicans,

like Sen. Bill Cassidy raise concerns over his past vaccine comments, while others, such as Sen. Chuck Grassley, show more support. Former VP Mike Pence’s group, Advancing American Freedom, is pushing GOP senators to reject Kennedy due to his shifting stance on abortion, having once supported a first-trimester ban but later opposing bans before fetal viability. Kennedy’s confirmation remains uncertain as both parties remain divided.