{"id":2398057,"date":"2025-02-02T20:43:01","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T01:43:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/barrasso-dodges-on-whether-rfk-jr-has-enough-votes-for-hhs-confirmation-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-02-02T20:44:19","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T01:44:19","slug":"barrasso-dodges-on-whether-rfk-jr-has-enough-votes-for-hhs-confirmation-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/barrasso-dodges-on-whether-rfk-jr-has-enough-votes-for-hhs-confirmation-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Barrasso dodges on whether RFK Jr. has enough votes for HHS confirmation &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbarrasso-dodges-on-whether-rfk-jr-has-enough-votes-for-hhs-confirmation-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2398057&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) addressed the confirmation \u200dprospects of \u200dRobert F. Kennedy Jr. for\u200b the\u2064 role of Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, expressing\u200b strong support \u2062for Kennedy while failing to give a definitive answer regarding whether he has enough votes for confirmation. Barrasso emphasized the urgency to \u200d&#8221;make \u2063America healthy again,&#8221; suggesting that Kennedy&#8217;s appointment could help\u200d <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">tackle \u2062ongoing chronic health issues<\/a> in the \u2064country.<\/p>\n<p>Kennedy&#8217;s confirmation follows two hearings where Republicans questioned \u200chis vaccine\u200d stance. Barrasso noted that Republican senators are working \u200dhard to support Trump\u2019s nominees, implying that some Democratic lawmakers view Kennedy unfavorably. \u200cWhen pressed \u2064about the potential need \u2062for Vice \u2064President JD Vance to \u200bbreak a tie in the confirmation vote,Barrasso reiterated \u200chis\u2064 belief in Kennedy\u2019s \u200dsuitability for \u200dthe position. <\/p>\n<p>Sen. \u200d<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pakistan-is-a-place-i-worry-about-lindsey-graham-defends-sending-millions-of-dollars-to-pakistan-while-americans-suffer-video\/\" title=\"\u201cPakistan is a Place I Worry About\u201d \u2013 Lindsey Graham Defends Sending Millions of Dollars to Pakistan While Americans Suffer (VIDEO)\">lindsey graham<\/a> (R-SC) also expressed his\u2064 intention to vote for Kennedy, citing his \u200dalignment with Trump\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lets-take-this-battle-all-across-the-nation-new-york-governor-kathy-hochul-vows-to-protect-abortion-fight-oppression-of-pro-life-laws\/\" title=\"\u2018Let\u2019s Take This Battle All Across The Nation\u2019: New York Governor Kathy Hochul Vows To Protect Abortion, Fight \u2018Oppression\u2019 Of Pro-Life Laws\">pro-life agenda<\/a>, but warned that he would closely\u200b monitor Kennedy\u2019s actions \u2064if confirmed. \u2064the Senate seems \u200cto be \u200dahead of schedule \u200bin confirming\u200c Trump\u2019s \u2064cabinet \u2064nominees compared to previous \u2062terms.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Barrasso dodges on whether RFK Jr. has enough votes for HHS confirmation<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1966763\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Senate Majority Whip <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-barrasso\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">John Barrasso<\/a> (R-WY) did not provide a direct answer on whether <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/robert-f-kennedy-jr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.<\/a> has enough votes to be confirmed as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/health-and-human-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Health and Human Services<\/a> secretary, but did stress the need to &ldquo;make America healthy again&rdquo; with Kennedy&rsquo;s help.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Kennedy&rsquo;s confirmation vote follows two hearings last week in which some Republicans took issue with his stance on vaccines. When asked if Kennedy would have enough support, Barrasso said Republicans are &ldquo;working very hard&rdquo; to ensure Trump&rsquo;s nominees get confirmed, suggesting that Democratic lawmakers view Kennedy as a &ldquo;traitor&rdquo; in this confirmation process.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m a doctor, I support his nomination, I thought he did wonderfully at the two days of hearings, he had to go to two different hearings for this,&rdquo; Barrasso said on Fox News&rsquo;s <em>Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo<\/em>. &ldquo;We need to make America healthy again. We spend almost a quarter of the money of this country on healthcare, and what happens? We have chronic problems, epidemics of obesity, diabetes, chronic disease. We need to do much, much more. I think Robert Kennedy is the right person. I&rsquo;m working hard to make sure he gets confirmed.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 640px; max-height: 360px; min-width: 320px; min-height: 180px; overflow: hidden;\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; padding-top: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.grabien.com\/share.php?id=2784038&amp;userid=11311&amp;loginid=9421&amp;playercolor=%23000000&amp;playersize=auto&amp;code=6c707c802be1a27928cbf1ac04557af1\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 0px;\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Barrasso was pressed on the possibility that Vice President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jd-vance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">JD Vance<\/a> would be a tiebreaking vote in Kennedy&rsquo;s vote, citing rumors that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/3305510\/key-gop-senator-slam-rfk-jr-vaccines-sparking-debate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) is hesitant to support the HHS secretary nominee<\/a>. The Wyoming senator cited how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3300153\/hegseth-confirmed-defense-secretary-vance-vote-mcconnell-rebel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Vance broke the tie in confirming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last month<\/a> and reiterated that Kennedy is the right person for the job.<\/p>\n<p>Barrasso also detailed how eight nominees for Trump&rsquo;s Cabinet have been confirmed so far, and the Senate is expecting to conduct five more confirmation votes this week, one of whom will be for Pam Bondi, the nominee for attorney general. The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/us\/trump-attorney-general-nominee-pam-bondi-clears-senate-panel-2025-01-29\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">just advanced the confirmation of Bondi on Wednesday with a vote of 12-10<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ahead of Kennedy&rsquo;s confirmation vote, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said on Sunday that he will vote for the HHS secretary, citing his belief that Kennedy will enact &ldquo;President Trump&rsquo;s pro-life agenda&rdquo; in this role. However, Graham warned Kennedy that he would watch &ldquo;every move he makes&rdquo; should he get confirmed.<\/p>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-thune\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">John Thune<\/a> (R-SD) assessed last week that Senate Republicans are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3301000\/thune-senate-ahead-schedule-confirming-trump-cabinet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">&ldquo;ahead of schedule&rdquo; in confirming Trump&rsquo;s Cabinet nominees<\/a>, and the confirmation process is going much <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-nursing-home-costs-increased-by-the-largest-amount-since-1997\/\" title=\"US nursing home costs saw their biggest increase since 1997.\">faster compared<\/a> to Trump&rsquo;s first term, in which it took 43 days to confirm the first 12 nominees. As of the first two weeks of Trump&rsquo;s second term, eight nominees have been confirmed so far, including Hegseth, Secretary of State <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marco-rubio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Marco Rubio<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy-and-environment\/3305737\/senate-confirms-doug-burgum-trump-pro-drilling-agenda\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1966763\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1966763\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Barrasso avoids confirming RFK Jr.&#8217;s vote count for HHS role<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2632,"featured_media":2398058,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Barrasso-Kennedy-confirmation-scaled-1024x683.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[9008,49686,32458],"class_list":["post-2398057","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-barrasso","tag-hhs-confirmation","tag-rfk-jr"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Barrasso-Kennedy-confirmation-scaled-1024x683.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2398057","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2632"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2398057"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2398057\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2398061,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2398057\/revisions\/2398061"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2398058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2398057"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2398057"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2398057"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}