Report: John Fetterman and Bernie Sanders may vote to confirm RFK Jr. as HHS secretary

By 
 January 5, 2025

Many Senate Democrats have pledged to oppose those individuals whom President-elect Donald Trump has nominated to serve in his cabinet.

However, a new report suggests that one of the nominees can expect to get a break from Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. 

Sources say senators are "considering" a vote for RFK Jr.

That's according to The Hill, which recently cited unnamed sources who say Fetterman and Sanders "are at least considering" a vote for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy, who dropped his independent presidential campaign and threw his support behind Trump, has been nominated to head up the Department of Health and Human Services.

Their willingness is said to stem from "shared critiques on heavy corporate influence over food and a desire to promote a less chemical-laden country."

"I think Bernie will give him a fair review," one source was quoted as saying of how Sanders will approach Kennedy's confirmation vote.

"I definitely think his Senate office will use the opportunity to point out the shortcomings of the industrial food system, supply chains, etc.," the source continued before adding, "I think they’ve been doing a little of that already."

Fetterman promises to keep "an open mind" on Trump's nominees

For his part, Fetterman announced in a social media post last week that he has already met with some of Trump's nominees and will consider them with "an open mind."

"I believe that it’s appropriate and the responsibility of a U.S. Senator to have a conversation with President-elect Trump's nominees," Fetterman wrote.

"That's why I met with Elise Stefanik and Pete Hegseth, just wrapped with Tulsi Gabbard, and look forward to my meetings with others soon," the Pennsylvania Democrat explained.

Fetterman is "a hard yes" on voting to confirm Elise Stefanik

"My votes will come from an open-mind and an informed opinion after having a conversation with them. That's not controversial, it's my job," Fetterman went on to insist. 

In an earlier post, Fetterman said that he is "a hard yes" when it comes to confirming former New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik as United Nations ambassador.

"I support defunding [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] for its documented Hamas infiltration and fully look forward to her holding the [U.N.] accountable for its endemic antisemitism and blatant anti-Israel views," he declared.

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