Senator Bill Cassidy ended up being the deciding vote in the Senate Finance Committee to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Health Secretary to the full Senate. The vote was 14 to 13, along party lines. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says Cassidy likely cast his vote to save his political future.
“Voting to deny Kennedy would have killed Kennedy’s confirmation, given the number of Democrats in the party line vote on that committee and would have put Senator Cassidy in the crosshairs of his own party,” Stockley explained.
Cassidy is up for re-election next year and is already facing one serious challenger from his own party, State Treasurer and former Congressman John Fleming.
Stockley says there’s no doubt that Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, wrestled with this decision. He says the Senator said in a statement he had intense conversations with the White House.
“His vote to confirm had to have come with reassurances that Kennedy would not use the Department of Health and Human Services to undermine current efforts to vaccinate,” Stockley said.
Shortly after casting what was effectively the tie-breaking vote to advance Kennedy’s nomination, Cassidy took to the Senate floor to explain his vote. Cassidy said not only did he have intense conversations with the White House, but he also met with Kennedy multiple times over the weekend and this morning.
“We had in-depth conversations about the medical literature, about the science behind the safety of vaccines. He referred me to studies and to people. I reviewed them and spoke to those whom he mentioned I should speak to,” Cassidy said.
Cassidy said the big question he asked himself prior to his vote to approve Kennedy was whether he can collaborate to help public health agencies regain the trust of the American people.
“Regarding vaccines, Mr. Kennedy has been insistent that he just wants good science, and to ensure safety. But on this topic, this science is good. The science is credible. Vaccines save lives. They are safe. They do not autism,” Cassidy said.
Cassidy said Kennedy assured him that they will be in regular contact, including seeking his input on hiring decisions.
