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HHS Nominee Kennedy’s Behind-The-Scenes Vaccine Reassurances Win Senate Swing Vote

 
• By Cathy Kelly

Outreach by Kennedy and the Trump Administration appears to have quelled Sen. Cassidy’s fears about oversight of vaccine regulations and safety monitoring.

A sign outside Louisiana Republican senator Bill Cassidy's office in Washington DC.
Cassidy's support for Kennedy's nomination for HHS secretary likely paves the way for Senate approval. (Shutterstock)
Key Takeaways
  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for HHS secretary was approved by the Senate Finance Committee by a party-line vote 4 February and now moves to the Senate floor.
  • Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a crucial swing vote, decided to support Kennedy based on personal assurances that his oversight of vaccines would not inappropriately obstruct their use.
  • As chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Cassidy also was promised an advisory role at HHS and an "unprecedented" partnership with Kennedy, if he is confirmed.

US Health and Human Services Department Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s commitments on his approach to vaccines and his willingness to forge an “unprecedented” collaboration with Sen

The Senate Finance Committee voted 14-13 along party lines to approve Kennedy’s nomination on 4 February

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