Cassidy defeat may complicate filling health vacancies

The big picture: As a lame duck who lost to a Trump-endorsed challenger, Cassidy may have less incentive to shepherd administration picks through the Senate confirmation process — or provide a decisive vote the way he did last year to help confirm Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

• Lingering ill will could mean some posts go unfilled past the midterm elections.

Driving the news: Cassidy finished third behind Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming, who will now square off in a June 27 runoff.

• President Trump — who endorsed Letlow — lashed out again at Cassidy on Saturday for voting to convict him in his second impeachment trial. Earlier, Kennedy blamed Cassidy for stalling MAHA-backed surgeon general pick Casey Means, whose nomination was later pulled.

The intrigue: The question is how Cassidy treats other Trump nominations that come before his committee, and whether any delays will lead some potential candidates for FDA commissioner to withdraw from consideration.

• Trump nominees Erica Schwartz and Nicole Saphier are awaiting hearings for CDC director and surgeon general, respectively.
• The uncertainty over the FDA could also have a ripple effect on talks to reauthorize user fees that help pay for prescription drug reviews.

What we're watching: It's early for the committee chair race, but Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is the next Republican in line, so it's worth watching to see if he makes moves for it — or decides to keep his Homeland Security chairmanship instead.