Fearing a main problem, the Louisiana Republican and doctor backed away from his critique of RFK Jr. to suggest his nomination. It’s unlikely to be blocked within the Senate.
Senator Invoice Cassidy (R-LA) listens because the Senate Finance Committee votes on February 4, 2025, to advance the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be the subsequent secretary of well being and human companies.
(Kevin Dietsch / Getty Photos)
On Sunday, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy quoted from the Bible’s Ebook of Joshua 10:25 on the X platform. “Joshua stated to them, don’t be afraid; don’t be discouraged. Be sturdy and brave. That is what the LORD will do to all of the enemies you will struggle.”
Cassidy, a doctor and vaccine advocate, had been the lone hope for a GOP vote towards Robert F. Kennedy Jr. within the Senate Finance Committee, which might have blocked his nomination as Well being and Human Providers secretary. The Louisiana senator has sounded grave skepticism about Kennedy, however he’s been threatened with a main problem if he votes towards Donald Trump’s crackpot nominee. One may hope he was praying for braveness to vote towards Kennedy along with his Bible verse on Sunday.
It appears he was praying for the braveness to disregard what he is aware of about Kennedy’s anti-vaccine, anti-science views and vote for him anyway. The pair had a testy set of exchanges in committees final week, main a few of us to hope Cassidy would oppose the nomination. “My accountability is to study—try to decide—in case you will be trusted to assist one of the best public well being, a worthy motion referred to as MAHA to enhance the well being of People, or to undermine it, at all times asking for extra proof and by no means accepting the proof that’s there,” he informed Kennedy. He went on: “Does a 70-year-old man, 71-year-old man who spent many years criticizing vaccines, and who’s financially invested find fault with vaccines—can he change his attitudes and method now that he’ll have crucial place influencing vaccine coverage in the US?” Cassidy requested.
However on Monday morning, simply earlier than his vote, Cassidy posted something new on X—fealty to Trump and Kennedy. “I’ve had very intense conversations with Bobby and the White Home over the weekend and even this morning. I need to thank VP JD [Vance] particularly for his sincere counsel. With the intense commitments I’ve acquired from the administration and the chance to make progress on the problems we agree on like wholesome meals and a pro-American agenda, I’ll vote sure.”
Kennedy’s nomination headed to the total Senate on a strict 14–13 party-line committee vote.
Is there any hope that the total Senate will vote towards Kennedy? There’s purpose to consider Senator Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, will vote down the purveyor of vaccine lies. He may be joined by the unpredictable Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who allied with McConnell to oppose the deeply unqualified, personally troubled Pete Hegseth as protection secretary. (Vance needed to break a Senate tie to get Hegseth confirmed.) Some had larger hopes for Cassidy, since he was one in all seven Republicans who joined Democrats to convict Trump in his second impeachment 4 years in the past.
Present Situation
After his committee vote, Cassidy took to the Senate flooring to clarify his determination, citing the “tons of of individuals” who contacted him, “lots of whom disagree with one another…. Possibly that frames my determination right here.”
Probably the most notable opponents, he stated, “are pediatricians, who must fight vaccine skepticism with data.” They fear, appropriately, about falling vaccine charges within the nation. “Vaccines save lives,” Cassidy acknowledged flatly. Vaccine critic Kennedy, he notes, says he “simply needs good science. However the science is obvious on this. Vaccines are secure. They don’t trigger autism.”
However, he pledged to assist and to work with Kennedy.
Cassidy stated he was promised he’ll get 30-day discover if HHS seeks any modifications to vaccine protocols—though the Louisiana doctor himself doesn’t appear to suppose any such modifications are wanted.
“Mr. Kennedy and the administration dedicated that he and I’ll have an unusually collaborative relationship. That can permit us to accommodate all sides who contacted me this weekend,” he stated.
Cassidy has established a self-soothing story that lets him reconcile a call he has to know is incorrect—that he and Kennedy can bridge the fierce divide over vaccines and different public well being points amongst People. Cassidy appears to suppose there are “very fantastic individuals” on all sides of those debates. There aren’t.
I don’t see a state of affairs the place Kennedy fails to be confirmed now, however I hope I’m incorrect.
