WASHINGTON – Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La. , Grill Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy on vaccine skepticism on Thursday claimed that his actions would fly in the face of President Donald Trump’s greatest accomplishments.
Cassidy opened his question at a Senate hearing by asking whether Kennedy agrees that Trump should receive the Nobel Prize for the development of a Covid vaccine in the suffering of the pandemic during his first term known as warp speed speed.
Kennedy responded immediately: “Absolutely Senator.”
Cassidy was skeptical.
“But you just told Senator (Michael) Bennett that the Covid vaccine killed more people than Covid. That was a statement,” Cassidy said.
Kennedy denied saying the vaccine killed more people than Covid, offering to explain why it was doing legal work against the vaccine. However, Cassidy was not impressed.
Cassidy cited testimony from conservative commentators that HHS’s actions make it more difficult for some Americans to take the Covid vaccine, and worried from doctors that a lack of guidance from HHS about vaccines could cause liability issues.
“Effectively, I think we’re denying people’s vaccines,” Cassidy told Kennedy during his question.
The extraordinary exchange comes as Cassidy walks the political tightrope. He is a doctor and a vaccine advocate. However, he is also running for reelection in Louisiana’s deep red state, where he faces a challenge from the party’s mag wing. Trump has not gained support in the race.
Cassidy’s strategy on Thursday was to express Kennedy’s skepticism through the language of Trump’s movement. By showing support for the President and presenting them as a way to protect his legacy.
Trump has a complicated history on this issue. He took pride in the rollout of the COVID vaccine during the pandemic. However, during his 2024 comeback campaign, Trump also sought to lead anger to the government’s response to Covid within his base.
That led to a partnership between Trump and Kennedy. Kennedy shunned his politics and ultimately led to a democratic political dynasty apocalypse that shunned the election of the president as HHS secretary.
Earlier this year, Cassidy, chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, openly admitted that Kennedy had struggled with nomination. Cassidy has now provided important support to Kennedy after receiving assurance that he will not distrust or harm the availability of the vaccine. With Cassidy’s support, Kennedy proceeded to the Senate floor, where 52-48 was confirmed. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was the only Republican to join all Democrats in the vote against Kennedy.
D-Va. Sen. Mark Warner of the company said Kennedy should break his promise to Cassidy and resign.
“He was totally opposed to what he had pledged to this committee and my friend Bill Cassidy,” Warner told reporters. “This is a big step.”
Cassidy is one of two Republican doctors, and Wyoming, Senate majority Whip John Barrasso, raised concerns Thursday that Kennedy’s actions could have a negative impact on public health.
“What’s more important to me is that there are Republicans like Bill Cassidy who are starting to call questions about the madness that Robert Kennedy is attacking everywhere,” D-Colo’s Bennett told reporters. “I hope it’s not too late.”
Cassidy left the Senate Finance Committee hearing room after questioning Kennedy on Thursday, telling reporters several times that his exchange speaks for itself. When asked if she regrets the pivotal vote to confirm Kennedy for her position, Cassidy refused to answer before disappearing into the elevator.
Within hours, Cassidy posted some of his remarks from the X’s hearing, asking why Trump hadn’t received the Nobel to manipulate warp speed.
