Sheila Curran Bernard is the author of “Bring Judgment Day: Reclaiming Lead Belly’s Truths from Jim Crow’s Lies.” She breaks down the myths of his career and how he expanded folk and blues music across the U.S. and Europe.

WASHINGTON — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s famous name, populist stances and loyal following have earned him President Donald Trump’s support, but will that get him the votes he needs from the Republican-controlled Senate to become the nation’s top health official?

Mr. Kennedy appears to have most Republicans behind him as he seeks the job of health secretary, though he couldn’t escape his past stances on vaccines and abortion.

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.

RFK Jr. claimed he is not “anti-vaccine” and appeared unfamiliar with key aspects of healthcare insurance programs in his confirmation hearing.

Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy will be at the center of the first hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s controversial Health and Human Services Secretary nomination.

Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana quietly conducted a revealing cross-examination of Kennedy on Wednesday, ahead of the hearing on Thursday that he will lead. He could be a key vote to watch.

Caroline Kennedy said in a scathing letter about her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., that she felt "an obligation to speak out."

As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced skeptical senators Thursday in the second day of his confirmation hearing to lead the department of Health and Human Services, Sen. Bill Cassidy confronted Kennedy about vaccines.

Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, is back on Capitol Hill on Thursday facing a second Senate panel in as many days as he vies for confirmation to lead a nearly $2 trillion agency.