Senators pressed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on his past vaccine and abortion remarks in the first of two days of hearings before senators vote on whether to confirm him as President Trump’s health secretary.

To be confirmed as health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can afford to lose no more than three Republican votes if all Democrats are united in their opposition to him.

The health committee chairman, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., also has expressed concerns about Kennedy's anti-vaccine work. A physician, Cassidy said earlier this month he “had a frank conversation” and “spoke about vaccines at length” with Kennedy. On Tuesday, Cassidy told reporters that he is still unsure if he is backing Trump’s nominee.

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman is praising Donald Trump for being “kind and cordial” during their meeting at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month. On Monday’s The View Fetterman joined the hosts and gushed about their sit-down,

Your guide to what the 2024 US election means for Washington and the world Robert F Kennedy ... Sheldon Whitehouse and John Fetterman, have flirted with supporting Kennedy’s nomination ...

Even Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, who indicated he was open to voting for Bob Kennedy’s nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services, now says the nominee is in serious trouble after his rocky confirmation hearing. Via The Hill:

HHS nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will answer questions today from Republicans Susan Collins of Maine, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, all members of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s frequent questioning of the safety of childhood vaccinations over the years is persisting as an issue in his confirmation hearings to become the Trump administration's top health official.