Tessa Quinn
The current secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services is Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who assumed office on February 13, 2025. Kennedy is a well-known environmentalist and advocate for public health, with a particular focus on the impact of pollution on human health. He has dedicated his career to public service and has a strong understanding of the system's inner workings, making him well-suited to advise the president on health matters and shape the department's policies and objectives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. |
| Position | 26th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
| Date Appointed | February 13, 2025 |
| Salary | $250,600 |
| Political Affiliation | Democrat |
| Previous Work | Attorney for the environmental nonprofit Riverkeeper, Co-founder and President of the Waterkeeper Alliance |
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What You'll Learn
- The current secretary of HHS is Robert F. Kennedy Jr
- The position has a salary of $250,600
- The secretary is the principal advisor to the president on health matters
- The secretary is head of the Department of Health and Human Services
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a background in environmentalism and conservation
The current secretary of HHS is Robert F. Kennedy Jr
The current secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He is the 26th secretary and has held the position since February 13, 2025.
Kennedy comes from a family with a rich political history. He is the son of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy. He began his career in public service in 1985 as an attorney for the environmental non-profit Riverkeeper, eventually becoming one of the most influential environmentalists in the United States. Kennedy focused on the impact of pollution on human health and the conservation of healthy ecosystems. He also co-founded the Waterkeeper Alliance and served as its president for 21 years, during which it became the world's largest non-profit devoted to clean water.
As secretary of HHS, Kennedy advises the president on matters of health, welfare, and income security programs. He oversees 11 agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
In May 2025, Kennedy testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on the HHS fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, requesting $94.7 billion.
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The position has a salary of $250,600
The current secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He is the 26th secretary and has held the position since 13 February 2025.
Kennedy has spent his entire career in public service. He started in 1985 as an attorney for the environmental nonprofit Riverkeeper and eventually became one of the most influential environmentalists in the US, focusing on the impact of pollution on human health and the conservation of healthy ecosystems. Kennedy also co-founded the Waterkeeper Alliance and served as its president for 21 years.
As secretary of health and human services, Kennedy advises the president on matters of health, welfare, and income security programs. He manages the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees 11 agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The position has a salary of $250,600.
The secretary of health and human services is a Level I position in the Executive Schedule. The duties of the secretary revolve around human conditions and concerns in the United States. The secretary strives to administer the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out approved programs and make the public aware of the objectives of the department.
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The secretary is the principal advisor to the president on health matters
The current secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He has held the position since February 13, 2025, and is the 26th secretary. As secretary, Kennedy is the principal advisor to the president on health matters, as well as on welfare and income security programs. He is responsible for administering the Department of Health and Human Services and ensuring the public is aware of the department's objectives.
Kennedy has spent his entire career in public service. He started as an attorney for the environmental nonprofit Riverkeeper in 1985 and became one of the most influential environmentalists in the United States, focusing on the impact of pollution on human health and ecosystem conservation. Kennedy also co-founded the Waterkeeper Alliance and served as its president for 21 years, during which it became the world's largest nonprofit devoted to clean water.
Through his work, Kennedy gained a deep understanding of the system and became familiar with the science of human health from conventional and alternative perspectives. As secretary of HHS, he is now leveraging this knowledge to align with the public interest, particularly for those whose voices have not been heard.
Kennedy comes from a prominent political family. He is the son of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy. While he was once a lifelong Democrat, he became estranged from the party in the 2010s due to its drift from traditional values.
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The secretary is head of the Department of Health and Human Services
The current secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He has held the position since February 13, 2025. The secretary of HHS is the principal advisor to the president of the United States on health matters, including welfare and income security programs. They are a member of the United States Cabinet.
The secretary strives to administer the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out approved programs and make the public aware of the objectives of the department. The department oversees 11 agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a dedicated public servant with a career spanning several decades. He is known for his work as an environmental lawyer and advocate, particularly focusing on the impact of pollution on human health and the conservation of healthy ecosystems. Kennedy co-founded the Waterkeeper Alliance and served as its president for 21 years, during which the organization became the world's largest nonprofit devoted to clean water.
Kennedy's experience in suing corporations and government agencies has given him a deep understanding of the system and the science of human health. As the secretary of HHS, he aims to use this knowledge to serve the public interest, especially those whose voices have not been heard. Kennedy's illustrious political family background includes his father, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and his uncle, President John F. Kennedy.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a background in environmentalism and conservation
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, has a long history of environmental activism and conservation. He started his career in public service in 1985 as an attorney for the environmental nonprofit Riverkeeper, which was founded to fight polluters on the Hudson River. Kennedy eventually became one of the most influential environmentalists in the United States, focusing on the impact of pollution on human health and the conservation of healthy ecosystems.
Kennedy has worked tirelessly to hold corporations accountable for their environmental practices and has been involved in numerous legal battles against big businesses, including General Electric, to force them to address their pollution and clean up contaminated sites across the country, such as the Hudson River in New York and the San Francisco Bay. He co-founded the Waterkeeper Alliance and served as its president for 21 years, during which it became the world's largest nonprofit devoted to clean water, with a global presence in 40 countries and over 1 million volunteers.
Kennedy has also been a strong advocate for sustainable development and the protection of traditional homelands of indigenous tribes in Latin America and Canada. He is credited with leading the fight to protect New York City's water supply and negotiating the New York City watershed agreement, which is regarded as an international model for stakeholder consensus and sustainable development.
Kennedy's environmental work has earned him recognition as one of Time magazine's "Heroes for the Planet." However, his stance on environmental issues has also drawn criticism, with some characterizing his views as anti-science and conspiracy-driven. Despite this, Kennedy remains committed to aligning his work with the public interest and addressing the concerns of those whose voices have often been unheard in the environmental movement.
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Frequently asked questions
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is the current secretary of HHS.
The secretary of HHS advises the president on matters of health, welfare, and income security programs. They also strive to administer the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out approved programs and make the public aware of the objectives of the department.
The secretary of HHS earns a salary of $250,600 as of January 2025.
The secretary of HHS serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United States on all health matters.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has spent his entire career in public service. He started in 1985 as an attorney for the environmental nonprofit Riverkeeper and became one of the most influential environmentalists in the United States, focusing on the impact of pollution on human health and the conservation of healthy ecosystems. He also co-founded the Waterkeeper Alliance and served as its president for 21 years.
