Was Sen. Cassidy’s Deal with RFK Jr. to Protect Vaccines a Mistake?
The Pivotal Vote
In the days leading up to a pivotal vote on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to become America’s top health official, all eyes were focused on Sen. Bill Cassidy. And the pivotal issue for the Louisiana Republican was Kennedy’s skepticism toward vaccines.
Cassidy’s Concerns
Cassidy chairs the Senate committee that oversees the Department of Health and Human Services. He is also a doctor who is proud of his work to get tens of thousands of children vaccinated against hepatitis B, a disease that can lead to liver failure, cirrhosis, and cancer. In a nomination hearing last month, he told Kennedy he was afraid people would die of vaccine-preventable diseases “because of policies or attitudes that you bring to the department.”
The Deal
Yet Cassidy ultimately provided the one-vote margin needed to advance Kennedy’s nomination to the full Senate. He said he was swayed by Kennedy’s commitments to support the immunization schedules recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, maintain systems used to vet new vaccines and monitor their safety, preserve statements on the CDC website assuring the public that vaccines don’t cause autism, and meet with Cassidy “multiple times a month,” among other things.
“I will watch carefully for any effort to wrongfully sow public fear about vaccines,” said the senator, who is up for reelection in 2026.
Expert Analysis
Cassidy’s intent to serve as a one-man bulwark against measles, polio, and dozens of other ailments may be sincere. But in reality, he will have little power to enforce the terms of his agreement with Kennedy, experts said.
Kennedy, if confirmed, will oversee more than 80,000 workers in the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, among other agencies. Cassidy, on the other hand, controls just one of the 100 votes in the Senate.
The Limits of Cassidy’s Power
Cassidy’s power to ensure that the would-be Health and Human Services leader would not merely tolerate vaccines but actively promote them was greatest before last week’s committee vote, when he had the leverage to derail the nomination. Cassidy could still change his mind before the final Senate vote – a move that would be welcomed by some medical and patient advocacy groups – but at least three other Republicans would have to join him to prevent Kennedy’s confirmation.
Expert Opinions
Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, said, “While I appreciate what Cassidy is trying to accomplish, his capacity to act once the confirmation goes through is limited. Do I expect he will do everything he can? Yes. Do I think it’s going to be productive with Robert Kennedy given everything we know about him with respect to vaccination? No.”
Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, was also pessimistic about Cassidy’s prospects for making sure Kennedy upholds his side of the bargain. He recalled that Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she had received assurances from Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh that they wouldn’t overturn Roe vs. Wade if they were elevated to the Supreme Court.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sen. Cassidy’s deal with RFK Jr. to protect vaccines may be a mistake. While Cassidy’s intent to serve as a one-man bulwark against measles, polio, and dozens of other ailments may be sincere, his power to enforce the terms of his agreement with Kennedy is limited. Kennedy, if confirmed, will oversee a vast array of agencies and workers, and Cassidy’s influence will be minimal.
FAQs
Q: What are the terms of Cassidy’s agreement with Kennedy?
A: Cassidy has not publicly disclosed the terms of his agreement with Kennedy.
Q: Can Cassidy still change his mind about supporting Kennedy’s nomination?
A: Yes, Cassidy could still change his mind before the final Senate vote, but at least three other Republicans would have to join him to prevent Kennedy’s confirmation.
Q: What are the limits of Cassidy’s power to enforce the terms of his agreement with Kennedy?
A: Cassidy’s power is limited, as Kennedy will oversee a vast array of agencies and workers, and Cassidy controls just one of the 100 votes in the Senate.
