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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary on February 13, 2025, by a 52–48 vote. In its report that day, Agriculture.com said most agricultural organizations had not issued public statements, while the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), and several senators offered reactions.
What the Senate vote confirmed
The official Senate record shows that the nomination was confirmed on February 13, 2025, with 52 senators voting in favor and 48 against. The roll call is recorded as Vote 52 in the 119th Congress, 1st Session: Senate Roll Call Vote 52.
Why the agriculture response was described as limited
Agriculture.com’s February 13, 2025, report said most agricultural organizations had steered clear of public statements after the confirmation. It highlighted comments from AFIA and IFPA alongside reactions from senators and other voices. The report did not provide a systematic survey or a complete list of organizations that stayed silent, so “largely silent” describes the report’s account, not a verified count of the entire agricultural sector. Read the Agriculture.com report.
What the trade groups emphasized
AFIA: science and animal-food regulation
The American Feed Industry Association represents businesses in the animal-food industry and related supply chain. Agriculture.com described it as representing more than 650 domestic and international companies; that is the membership figure reported in the article, not an independently verified current count. AFIA president and CEO Constance Cullman urged Kennedy to keep science central to decision-making, saying: “We urge Kennedy to keep science, not evolving public opinion, at the heart of his decision-making so that together, we can meet our country’s food safety and security goals.” The report also described AFIA’s interest in modernizing U.S. animal-food regulation.
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IFPA: produce access and nutrition policy
The International Fresh Produce Association focused on access to fruits and vegetables and their role in health policy. CEO Cathy Burns said, “With diet-related diseases placing immense strain on our healthcare system, ensuring greater access to fresh fruits and vegetables must be a top national priority.” The report listed the association’s priorities as integrating produce into healthcare, clearer food labeling, and incentives for fruit and vegetable purchases. These were IFPA’s proposals, including ideas directed to HHS and FDA—not policies shown in the report to have been adopted.
How senators described Kennedy’s appointment
Support from Hoeven and Marshall
Senator John Hoeven supported Kennedy’s appointment and said President Trump selected him “with a mandate to improve the health of our nation.” Hoeven also emphasized working with stakeholders, farmers, ranchers, and school nutritionists.
Rank #2
Senator Roger Marshall likewise welcomed the confirmation, calling it “a great day for America, particularly for our nation’s children.” Marshall framed the appointment around preventing chronic disease and said “60% of Americans” were battling chronic diseases. That percentage is Marshall’s claim as quoted by Agriculture.com; the report did not establish its underlying method or independently verify it.
Booker’s criticism and opposition
Senator Cory Booker said, “There’s no question that America’s food system is painfully broken,” while also saying he would vote against Kennedy’s confirmation. His criticism of the food system did not amount to support for the nominee.
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McConnell’s opposition
Senator Mitch McConnell voted against Kennedy. In the explanation quoted by Agriculture.com, he emphasized vaccine efficacy and confidence in public-health institutions: “I will not condone the re-litigation of proven cures, and neither will millions of Americans who credit their survival and quality of life to scientific miracles.” The Senate roll call establishes his vote; the quoted explanation comes from the Agriculture.com report.
Agriculture policy claims remained contested
The report also discussed Kennedy’s call for an “off-ramp” from chemically intensive agriculture and a response from Emily Bass, associate director of federal policy for food and agriculture at the Breakthrough Institute. Bass questioned whether no-till or other regenerative practices would necessarily reduce pesticide use or improve U.S. farmers’ access to the European market, noting that some no-till farmers still use herbicides. These are competing views presented in the article, not evidence that a particular farming practice produces a settled outcome.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the reactions do—and do not—show
The statements point to different concerns rather than a single agricultural position: AFIA stressed science and animal-food regulation, IFPA focused on produce and nutrition, and senators divided over Kennedy’s nomination and public-health priorities. The report documents those attributed views; it does not establish that either trade association speaks for agriculture as a whole or resolve the policy and scientific questions raised by the speakers.
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