Sen. Invoice Cassidy (R-La.) stated he secured important concessions from the Trump administration on vaccine security that led to his vote Tuesday morning to advance the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to guide the Division of Well being and Human Providers.
Cassidy voted with all different Finance Committee Republicans on Tuesday to advance Kennedy’s nomination to the ground.
Talking on the Senate flooring, Cassidy stated Kennedy and the administration reached out “seeking to reassure me regarding their commitment to protecting the public health benefit of vaccination.”
To that finish, Cassidy stated the White Home and Kennedy pledged to take care of a key federal advisory board, to work inside the established, current vaccine security methods, and to provide Cassidy enter on HHS hiring selections.
“My expectation that we can have a great working relationship to make America healthy again is the basis of my support,” Cassidy stated.
Cassidy stated Kennedy dedicated to showing earlier than the Senate Well being Committee on a quarterly foundation if requested. He additionally dedicated that the well being committee chair might select a consultant on any board or fee shaped to evaluate vaccine security.
If he’s confirmed, Cassidy stated HHS will present a 30-day discover to the well being committee if the company seeks to make adjustments to any federal vaccine security monitoring packages.
Cassidy stated the committee may have the choice to name a listening to “to further review the commitments” if warranted.
Cassidy stated the administration additionally agreed to not take away statements on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention web site declaring that vaccines don’t trigger autism.
Cassidy was the pivotal vote for Kennedy’s nomination. Throughout a affirmation listening to final week, he stated had critical doubts about whether or not Kennedy, a longtime vaccine activist, is certified to guide the company, primarily over his historical past of selling a false hyperlink between vaccines and autism.
Cassidy spent greater than 30 years as a gastroenterologist earlier than turning into a politician. He stated on Thursday he was “struggling” together with his vote, earlier than in the end voting to advance the nomination.
