Discussing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination on Fox News, Cassidy, a physician, said, “Vaccinations, he’s wrong on, and so I just look forward to having a good dialogue with him on that.”
The Louisiana senator said of Kennedy, “I agree with him on some things and disagree on others,” noting he shares concerns over ultra-processed foods. He will meet with Kennedy this week.
While Kennedy has rejected being labelled “anti-vaccine,” he previously led the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense and has long stated his belief that vaccines are linked to autism.
Cassidy will have two chances to question Kennedy as HELP Committee chair and as a member of the Finance Committee, which will hold the nomination hearing and vote.
Remember: Cassidy voted to convict Trump after his 2021 impeachment trial, but is facing a potential serious primary challenger and how he votes on Trump’s nominees will be heavily scrutinized.
Kennedy has been meeting with GOP senators to shore up support for his confirmation. While his path to confirmation has been smoother than some of Trump’s other nominees like Pete Hegseth for secretary of Defense, Kennedy’s ascent to HHS secretary is far from a sure thing.
Should all Senate Democrats oppose Kennedy’s nomination, he can only afford to lose three Republican votes.
The former Democrat turned Independent has expressed his support for abortion access, though his meetings with staunch anti-abortion Senate Republicans seem to have allayed concerns they may have had.
