Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., two of President Trump's more contentious nominees, are set for back-to-back Senate confirmation hearings this week. Kennedy's hearing with the Senate Finance Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, followed by a second hearing on Thursday with the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). The Finance Committee will vote on whether to advance his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the full Senate, while the HELP committee hearing is for informational purposes only. Gabbard's hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, concerning her nomination for Director of National Intelligence (DNI), is slated for Thursday morning.
Both nominees have drawn scrutiny for past positions that diverge from mainstream Republican views. Kennedy's stance on vaccines and agricultural regulations has raised concerns among some GOP senators, particularly those representing states with significant farming interests. Gabbard's prior national security stances have also caused hesitation among lawmakers from both parties, given the crucial role of the DNI in national safety and defense.
In an attempt to address these concerns, both Kennedy and Gabbard have appeared to moderate their positions during the confirmation process. Kennedy has refuted claims that he is "anti-vaccine," emphasizing individual choice and access to comprehensive scientific information. Gabbard recently reversed her stance on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a move that secured the support of at least one Republican senator on the intelligence committee, Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma.
Despite gaining some Republican support, the path to confirmation remains uncertain for both nominees. Even if they are voted out of committee, they could still face significant opposition in the full Senate.
