Why did Senator Mitch McConnell oppose Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services?

Senator McConnell, a childhood polio survivor, opposed Kennedy's confirmation primarily due to Kennedy's past remarks questioning vaccine efficacy. This concern was frequently raised during Kennedy's confirmation hearings, reflecting McConnell's personal experience with vaccine-preventable disease and his concerns about public health policy. Despite McConnell's opposition and the controversy surrounding Kennedy's vaccine-related statements, Kennedy ultimately secured confirmation as one of the country's top public health officials. The narrow confirmation highlights the tension between political appointments and public health expertise in today's polarized environment.