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.'s nomination passes crucial vote despite Democrats' 'grave concerns‘ - Kennedy has repeatedly promoted the debunked link between vaccines and autism. But the Finance Committee’s vote means the nomination will go to a full floor vote.

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

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,

Kyra Kennedy, 29, is the youngest daughter of health secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

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.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Finance was due to vote on Tuesday on advancing President Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.

Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department advanced Tuesday after a key swing Republican voted for the nominee in the Senate Finance Committee, likely clearing his path to confirmation.

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