WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) released the following statement after the United States Senate voted to confirm Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS):

“I congratulate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on his confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services. HHS has broad jurisdiction over the U.S. health care system and oversees dozens of programs that directly impact the health and wellbeing of millions of Americans. I have no doubt Secretary Kennedy will be a steadfast champion for those Americans in need of access to quality, affordable care and fight every day to restore the gold standard science of America’s public health agencies and implement President Trump’s agenda to Make America Healthy Again.

“Seventy-seven million Americans voted for serious reform in November, and our health care system is no exception. Ways and Means has been a leader in fighting for chronic disease prevention, and I look forward to working with Secretary Kennedy to end the chronic disease epidemic gripping our nation, ensure access to care for Americans in rural areas, lower the costs of health care and prescription drugs, and to root out waste, fraud, and abuse within Medicare and Medicaid while protecting those benefits for current beneficiaries and generations to come.”