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Cassidy’s Kennedy quagmire

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.

© AP

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.

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