Cassidy avoids blowups in faceoff with RFK Jr.
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Kennedy testifying on Wednesday. Photo: Heather Diehl/Getty Images
A long-awaited confrontation between Senate health committee Chair Bill Cassidy and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. passed without major fireworks on Wednesday — but with Kennedy indicating he would let the next Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director make decisions without interference.
Why it matters: Cassidy and Kennedy have increasingly been at odds over Trump administration health policies and Kennedy's criticisms of vaccines since the Louisiana Republican cast a decisive vote to confirm Kennedy last year.
- Wednesday's hearing on the Trump administration's 2027 budget came ahead of a May 16 primary in which Cassidy faces a Trump-endorsed challenger in Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.).
What they're saying: Cassidy told Kennedy that while people lost trust in federal health agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic, "it's safe to say the trust gap has worsened over the last year due to false statements about safety and efficacy of vaccines for preventable diseases like measles."
- He praised the nomination of former deputy surgeon general Erica Schwartz to lead the CDC and asked Kennedy whether, if confirmed, she would face interference from unnamed "political appointees at CDC who have worked to undermine trust in immunizations."
- "If she wishes to make a decision independently of them, she shall be allowed to make that decision independently?" Cassidy asked, to which Kennedy replied, "Yes."
- Kennedy also defended his measles response, saying it's a "global outbreak" that began before he took office.
Between the lines: While there was some tension in the room, Cassidy did not play some cards he could have by, for instance, grilling Kennedy over promises he made during the confirmation process on vaccine access and to appear before the health committee four times a year, if asked.
- Cassidy questioned the Department of Health and Human Services' willingness to continue allowing telehealth prescribing of the abortion drug mifepristone, asking why HHS had not "acted with greater urgency" on reviving in-person dispensing requirements.
- Kennedy declined to answer, citing ongoing litigation.
