Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cleared a crucial hurdle for confirmation as Health and Human Services secretary. Here's what happens next in the Senate

The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday voted along party lines to support the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary—a key victory for one of President Donald Trump’s most controversial cabinet picks, after some GOP lawmakers remained on the fence due to Kennedy’s claims about vaccines.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the controversial environmental lawyer turned public health critic, is set to find out on Tuesday if he has cleared the first hurdle to become the nation’s top health official when the Senate Finance Committee votes on his nomination.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will face the Senate for two days of confirmation hearings in a bid become the leader of Health and Human Services.

Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican torn between his concerns as a doctor and supporting President Trump, voted to send Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as health secretary to the full Senate.

Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Senate Democrats are demanding more details on the nominee's connections to vaccine lawsuits and are saying Kennedy should promise to recuse himself from any vaccine-related decisions if confirmed health secretary.

The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday will be the first to vote on the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary with several key Republican senators still publicly undecided on if they’ll support the candidate,