WASHINGTON — Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., raised questions Thursday about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s suitability to oversee the nation’s biggest and most influential health agency going forward.
In Kennedy’s campaign for the position of secretary of health and human services, Cassidy, a physician, has become a crucial swing vote. Prior to this week, Kennedy testified before two committees, the Finance Committee and the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, both of which Cassidy heads.
In the weeks following President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would nominate Kennedy, who has a lengthy history of anti-vaccine agitation, Cassidy has been silent about his thoughts of the man.
Cassidy stated at the conclusion of the hearing on Thursday that he was “struggling” with Kennedy’s nomination.
I’m concerned about your history of using baseless or deceptive arguments to undermine public trust in vaccines, Cassidy stated. Is it safe to assume that’s behind us now? Will you simply look for evidence to support a preconceived judgment, or may facts and information change your mind?
The questions were asked a day after Kennedy stumbled over a line of Cassidy’s questions regarding Medicaid.
Kennedy may face difficulties as a result of Cassidy’s doubts. As the committee’s head, Cassidy set the tone for Thursday’s hearing by frequently challenging Kennedy’s prior positions, especially those related to vaccines. At times, he focused on Kennedy’s claims that vaccines cause autism and offered him numerous chances to clarify that vaccines do not cause the complex neurological and developmental disorder.
“You’ve approached it with selected evidence to cast doubt, and I’ve approached it with the preponderance of the evidence to reassure,” Cassidy remarked.
As a 71-year-old guy who has spent decades disparaging vaccinations and has a financial stake in doing so, Cassidy said the fundamental question is whether Kennedy might change his ways now that he will have the most significant position affecting vaccine policy in the United States.
Kennedy refused to provide a direct response to the question. Sometimes he became quite passionate about autism, questioning why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hadn’t done more to investigate the condition’s causes.
Why are we unable to identify the cause of this epidemic? Why hasn’t the CDC been investigating alternative theories to figure out why this disease that is killing our children has dramatically increased by 1,000%? Kennedy stated that it is most likely the largest problem. After 30 years of a consistent increase in the prevalence of autism, why do we still not know the answer? Why do we not know the answer? We ought to be aware of the solution.
Although scientists and supporters agree that additional research is needed to determine the cause of autism, they have indicated that Kennedy’s focus on a disproven link to vaccines runs the risk of diverting valuable research funds to the one idea that has been ruled out.
The importance of genes in autism has long been recognized by medical professionals. According to research, the definition of autism has changed over time and now includes a wide variety of abilities, which may contribute to the disorder’s rising prevalence. Additionally, people are more aware of the illness and are screening for it earlier.
Kennedy refused to answer questions from an NBC News reporter about whether he had seen enough evidence to deny that vaccines cause autism following Thursday’s session. Kennedy approached Cassidy at the end of the hearing, whispered something to him, and shook his hand.
Cassidy informed him that he might hear from her over the weekend.
Cassidy’s apprehension regarding Kennedy is noteworthy. He will vote on whether to forward the nominee to the entire Senate in his capacity as a member of the Finance Committee.
If all Democrats stand together against Kennedy, he can afford to lose only three Senate Republicans on the floor. No Republican senator has yet to openly oppose his nomination.
Cassidy has already attracted a possible primary opponent should Trump choose to run for reelection in 2026. Cassidy was one of the few Senate Republicans to vote in favor of Trump’s impeachment in the trial following the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
One of the main focuses of Cassidy’s political efforts has been vaccines. He assisted in the formation of a collaboration in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the 1990s that claimed to have given 36,000 kids free hepatitis B vaccinations.
He introduced bipartisan proposals as a senator to increase pregnant women’s vaccination rates. He is in favor of vaccination laws in public schools.
Cassidy began the hearing on Thursday by sharing a story about the worst day of his medical career. He described how he treated a young woman who had hepatitis B while she was awaiting a liver transplant. Cassidy said that he was hit while he was putting her into an ambulance.
I believed all of this could have been avoided with $50 worth of vaccinations. That marked a turning point in my career, and ever then, I’ve made every effort to ensure that I never have to talk to another parent about their child passing away from an illness that can be prevented by vaccination.
Kennedy responded that he would go beyond reassurance if he saw evidence to support his claim that the measles and hepatitis B vaccines do not cause autism when Cassidy asked him if he would categorically reassure moms of this.
Kennedy added, “I will not only do that, but I will also apologize for any statements that misled people in any other way.” I just want to promise you that if someone offers me data that proves my stance is incorrect, I will never stick with it.
Kennedy once retorted that he believed new research was challenging the idea that vaccines and autism were unrelated.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., took over the questioning when Cassidy paused and appeared to consult the report.
When he returned, Cassidy stated, “I looked into the article.” It appears to be having some problems.
Cassidy urged Kennedy to further disassociate himself from his previous remarks regarding vaccines as he concluded Thursday’s hearing.
“Man, it would have a tremendous impact if you came out and said unequivocally that vaccines are safe and do not cause autism,” Cassidy remarked. That is your strength. What will it be, then? Does it intend to use its credibility to undermine or to support a large number of articles?
Cassidy replied, “I have to figure that out for my vote.” He stated that while he wants to support Trump’s program, he is very worried that Kennedy’s untrue vaccine assertions will negatively impact Trump’s legacy in his second term.