The Trump administration assured Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) his support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation would mean no attacks on vaccine confidence, yet recent actions suggest those promises meant more to one side than the other.
Cassidy, the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, publicly wavered over Kennedy’s confirmation, with the then-nominee’s refusal to acknowledge the safety and efficacy of vaccines being a particular sticking point.
By the end of Kennedy’s second confirmation hearing, Cassidy acknowledged he was still “struggling” with the nomination. He was won over by Trump administration officials, who promised the senator would have input on hiring decisions; that federal advisory boards would remain unscathed; existing vaccine safety systems would continue; and Kennedy would testify before the HELP panel quarterly.
But Kennedy’s tenure as Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary has already seen massive layoffs, controversial changes to the vaccine approval process and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices being cleared out and replaced with Kennedy’s allies.
Louisiana State University department chair and political science professor Robert Hogan suggested Kennedy’s moves won’t necessarily hurt Cassidy in a GOP primary. Cassidy is up for reelection next year.
“You would think that that would hurt him electorally, but … I think ultimately, what could have hurt him is if he had stuck with his professional standards and the standards of the medical community” and spoken out against Kennedy, Hogan said.
The Louisiana senator hasn’t spoken on Kennedy’s actions that seemingly fly in the face of their agreement, only saying that he is continuing to talk with the Trump Cabinet secretary.
Cassidy faces a tough road to reelection. He was among the GOP senators who voted to convict Trump of an impeachment article accusing him of inciting the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Former House member John Fleming (R) has launched a primary campaign against him.
Hogan said Fleming is a formidable opponent.
“If it comes down to, they’re equal on every other dimension except [Fleming] did not vote to impeach Trump? That’s the message, I think that will come through very clear to Republican voters,” he said.
Welcome to The Hill’s Health Care newsletter, we’re Nathaniel Weixel, Joseph Choi and Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health.
The average age of first-time mothers in the U.S. has risen to almost 30, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). New data published in a National Vitals and Statistics Report on Friday shows the mean age of mothers at first birth increased by 0.9 years between 2016 and 2023, rising from 26.6 years to 27.5. Asian women reported the largest increase in mean age at first birth …
Democratic political strategist David Axelrod on Friday condemned changes Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made to a key vaccine advisory committee. Kennedy earlier this week fired all 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and replaced them with eight of his own picks, a significant downsizing for the independent, expert …
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the approval of Moderna’s RSV vaccine late Thursday to include people 18 to 59 years old who are at increased risk for severe illness from respiratory syncytial virus, the company said. The vaccine was previously only licensed for adults 60 years and older. “RSV poses a serious health risk to adults with certain chronic conditions, and today’s approval marks an important …
Prediabetes interventions at forefront of treatment: What to know
The conversation around prediabetes has entered a new day for Americans. Earlier this week, the American College of Lifestyle Medicine published the first clinical practice guideline to prioritize lifestyle interventions in treating Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. The guideline offers a comprehensive roadmap for clinicians to effectively incorporate therapeutic lifestyle behavior interventions as a mainstay of treatment, while …
Congressional Republicans are laying the groundwork for a tax cliff at the end of President Trump’s term in office. While the conference is pushing … Read more
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is meeting the moment, Democrats say. Amid the growing storm over the Trump administration’s response to protests … Read more
