The U.S. Senate on Wednesday advanced President Donald Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services, setting up a likely vote on awarding him the position in coming days.

The Senate paved the way for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, voting 53-47 along party lines to advance his nomination. Why it matters: Kennedy now has a clear path to confirmation later this week,

The Senate advanced Kennedy's nomination despite his longtime anti-vaccine advocacy, his complex personal finances, and limited knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid.