The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the nation's next Health and Human Services secretary on Thursday.

Ahead of the vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Kennedy a "conspiracy theorist" and urged Republicans to oppose him.

The 52-48 vote was largely on party lines, with no Democrats supporting him. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., also voted against confirmation.

Kennedy's nomination was controversial on both sides of the aisle. During his committee hearings, Democrats took exception to his past criticisms of vaccines while Republicans questioned him on his pro-choice positions. 

Kennedy indicated he would defer to President Donald Trump's policy of leaving abortion to the states, which largely satisfied Republicans. 

Initially a Democratic primary challenger to Joe Biden, Kennedy dropped out in favor of an independent presidential run. He eventually left the race and endorsed Trump, who subsequently tapped him to lead HHS.

His admission to the MAGA camp, moreover, has led to the coinage of the "Make America Health Again" slogan as he hopes to overhaul the American healthcare system.