Election 2026 Cassidy

FILE - Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., right, President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, talks with Committee Chairman Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., following his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, Jan. 30, 2025, in Washington.

Tags

As featured on

RFK Jr. faced the Senate. One lawmaker's competing loyalties were on display

RFK Jr. faced the Senate. One lawmaker's competing loyalties were on display

A Republican senator juggling three roles — lawmaker, doctor and political candidate seeking reelection — has walked a fine line as he questioned Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Sen. Bill Cassidy supported Kennedy's confirmation as health secretary but is a strong vaccine advocate and has clashed with him over vaccine policies. Kennedy was a longtime anti-vaccine activist before entering politics and has moved to dramatically scale back vaccine guidance in the Trump administration. Wednesday's hearings come as Cassidy faces a competitive primary election in his home state of Louisiana in less than a month. Cassidy asked Kennedy about the rise of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles as he took a tough but measured posture throughout his questioning.