() The Senate on Thursday approved Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a party-line vote as the next Health and Human Services secretary. He was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch later in the afternoon.

Trump at the swearing-in defended Kennedy’s views on health care, and announced a new commission called the “President’s Commission to Make America Healthy again,” which the newly-confirmed health secretary will chair. The president called the people who criticized Kennedy “nasty.”

“He was tougher, and he is smarter than they are, and that is why he’s here today,” Trump said.

Kennedy said Trump has been a blessing in his life and will be for the country.  
 
“On Aug. 23 of last year, God sent me President Trump,” Kennedy said, calling him a “pivotal historical figure.”

Kennedy’s nomination was advanced earlier this month, also in a party-line vote. Thursday’s final tally was 58-42, with Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., as the only GOP lawmaker to vote no.

A former 2024 independent presidential candidate who dropped out and endorsed President Donald Trump, Kennedy had sparked concerns from lawmakers, including McConnell, due to his record of spreading misinformation regarding vaccines.

Explaining his vote against Kennedy in a statement, McConnell said he’s a “survivor of childhood polio.”

“In my lifetime, I’ve watched vaccines save millions of lives from devastating diseases across America and around the world. I will not condone the re-litigation of proven cures, and neither will millions of Americans who credit their survival and quality of life to scientific miracles,” McConnell said. “Individuals, parents, and families have a right to push for a healthier nation and demand the best possible scientific guidance on preventing and treating illness. But a record of trafficking in dangerous conspiracy theories and eroding trust in public health institutions does not entitle Mr. Kennedy to lead these important efforts.”

In previous hearings, Kennedy touted the “Make America Healthy Again” movement and decried the United States’ rising rates of diseases such as obesity, addiction and diabetes.

Democrats made some last-minute criticisms of Kennedy before the vote took place, arguing he did not have the necessary qualifications for the position.

Now that he is confirmed, Kennedy is set to 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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.