Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cleared a crucial hurdle for confirmation as Health and Human Services secretary. Here's what happens next in the Senate

The Senate Finance Committee will vote Tuesday on Robert F. Kennedy Jr's appointment to direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s path to become the next secretary of health and human services improved considerably today, as his nomination cleared a key Senate committee and he won the support of a Republican holdout on another.

All eyes were on Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican and longtime doctor who expressed deep concern about Kennedy's history of anti-vaccine comments.

If approved, Kennedy will control a $1.7 trillion agency that oversees food and hospital inspections, hundreds of health clinics, vaccine recommendations and health insurance for roughly half the country.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has taken a giant leap toward his goal of making America healthy again. Donald Trump’s controversial pick as health secretary won a key confirmation vote in the Senate Finance Committee and now heads to the Senate floor for a vote by the full 100-member Senate.

Republicans voted together to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for health secretary, while Democrats all opposed.