Senate Finance Committee advances Chris Klomp’s HHS nomination

The Senate Finance Committee voted 15-12 to advance Chris Klomp’s nomination to be deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, The Hill and STAT reported. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., joined all Republicans in backing Klomp, according to both reports. The vote clears his nomination for consideration by the full Senate, STAT reported.

Klomp is currently a senior adviser to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., STAT reported. At confirmation hearings last week before the finance and health committees, lawmakers questioned the influence he could have at HHS. STAT reported that Democrats and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., urged Klomp to push back against Kennedy and President Trump if they undermined vaccine policy. Klomp told the committees he would be responsible for personnel and smooth department operations.