Sen. Lisa Murkowski, after voting in favor of the confirmation of former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Security, announced on Wednesday that she will vote in favor of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
On X, Murkowski wrote what, for her, is a lengthy explanation that laid out her concerns, but also her acknowledgement that many Alaskans had shared their support for RFK Jr., whose confirmation vote is expected to be taken on Thursday in the US Senate.
“I intend to support Robert Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services. While there is no dispute that the U.S. spends more per capita on healthcare than any other country, our health outcomes do not reflect this investment. Instead of focusing on who covers our exorbitant healthcare costs, we need to reduce these costs by directing our attention to prevention and keeping people healthy. This is the appeal of RFK, and many Alaskans have shared that view with me. Chronic conditions are a significant source of illness and major drivers of public debt; he recognizes this and is committed to addressing it,” Murkowski wrote.
“I continue to have concerns about Mr. Kennedy’s views on vaccines and his selective interpretation of scientific studies, which initially caused my misgivings about his nomination. Vaccines have saved millions of lives, and I sought assurance that, as HHS Secretary, he would do nothing to make it difficult for people to take vaccines or discourage vaccination efforts. He has made numerous commitments to me and my colleagues, promising to work with Congress to ensure public access to information and to base vaccine recommendations on data-driven, evidence-based, and medically sound research. These commitments are important to me and, on balance, provide assurance for my vote,” she wrote.
“I am encouraged by the time he has spent among indigenous peoples, his commitment to tribal sovereignty, and his promised attention to the Indian Health Service. He has spent time in rural Alaska and understands some of the unique public health challenges we face that require complex solutions. There is much shared work ahead to achieve better public health outcomes, and I will push Mr. Kennedy to realize these goals,” Murkowski concluded.
Sen. Dan Sullivan said several weeks ago that he would support RFK Jr.’s nomination by President Donald Trump.
To date, Murkowski has supported most of Trump’s nominees, with the exception of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has started strongly in the Department of Defense, returning it to a fighting mission, rather than a social club that it was becoming under former Sec. Lloyd Austin.
