Senate panel advances HHS deputy pick in party-line vote
The Senate Finance Committee approved Chris Klomp to be deputy secretary of Health and Human Services by a 15-12 vote, with one Democrat joining Republicans. Klomp, who has served as chief counselor at HHS, was praised by the chairman for his operational focus, but Democrats criticized the administration's vaccine and drug pricing policies. The nomination now moves to the full Senate.
Klomp currently serves as chief counselor at HHS and has been central to the administration's "most favored nation" drug pricing negotiations with pharmaceutical companies. His confirmation hearing earlier this month focused on his policy credentials, though he avoided directly contradicting Secretary Kennedy's vaccine positions. Senator Whitehouse of Rhode Island was the sole Democrat to support him, citing his technical proficiency on health policy matters.
The vote unfolded against ongoing disruption to the CDC's vaccines for children program, which provides free immunizations to eligible minors. The program had been stalled for roughly a month, with doctors unable to access updated COVID-19 vaccines, though the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy reported Thursday that operations have resumed. Democrats on the committee pointed to this episode as evidence of broader instability at HHS under Kennedy's leadership.
This confirmation could shape federal health policy for years, as the deputy secretary position carries significant operational authority over HHS programs affecting millions of Americans. If confirmed, Klomp may influence how vaccine distribution, drug pricing negotiations, and agency management function under the current administration. The party-line nature of the vote suggests continued polarization around health policy, potentially affecting public trust in federal health guidance and the accessibility of programs like childhood vaccinations.