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.

Kyra Kennedy, 29, is the youngest daughter of health secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

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.

Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, a doctor who had expressed wariness about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s anti-vaccine views, cleared the path on Tuesday for Kennedy to become the top health official in President Donald Trump's administration.

Kennedy Jr. , a vocal vaccine skeptic and activist lawyer, appeared on track to become the nation’s health secretary after winning the crucial support of Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, a doctor who says Kennedy has assured him he would not topple the nation’s childhood vaccination program.

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

Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation as the top U.S. health official - one of President Donald Trump's most contentious nominations - may hinge on Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a doctor with a history of bucking political pressure who has expressed wariness over Kennedy's anti-vaccine views.