President-elect Donald Trump had touted Kennedy as a potential pick for the role of health secretary in the run up to his election victory, even if senior members of his campaign ruled out Kennedy having an official role.

The president-elect is hoping to put Kennedy in charge of the agency that oversees everything from drug, vaccine, and food safety to medical research and Medicare and Medicaid.

The nearly $2 trillion agency administers health-insurance programs for millions of Americans, approves medications and oversees vaccine safety.