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

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.

He needs to earn support from nearly all Senate Republicans to become Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cleared the Senate Finance Committee vote. His confirmation for health secretary now moves to the full chamber.

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.

Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy has a history of bucking political pressure and has expressed wariness over Kennedy's anti-vaccine views.

Robert F Kennedy Jr and Tulsi Gabbard have cleared a key hurdle on the way to Senate confirmation for the cabinet roles that US President Donald Trump nominated them to take on. Kennedy was tapped to be the next US health secretary,

In a starkly partisan vote, the Republican-controlled Senate Finance Committee advanced Kennedy’s nomination 14-13, sending his bid to oversee the $1.7 trillion U.S. Health and Human Services agency for a full vote on the Senate floor.

Kennedy Jr., a vocal vaccine skeptic and activist lawyer, appeared on track to become the nation's health secretary after winning the crucial support of Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, a doctor who says Kennedy has assured him he would not topple the nation's childhood vaccination program.