Senator Cassidy’s Crucial Vote Advances RFK Jr.’s HHS Secretary Nomination

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) voted to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for HHS Secretary out of the Senate Finance Committee12.

The committee vote was close, with a 14-13 result in favor of advancing Kennedy's nomination to the full Senate4.

Cassidy's support came after extensive discussions with Kennedy over the weekend, including commitments on vaccine safety and policy15.

Kennedy, a lawyer and longtime vaccine critic, has faced scrutiny from both Democrats and Republicans due to his controversial views on vaccines12.

Cassidy, a medical doctor, initially expressed concerns about Kennedy's stance on vaccines but ultimately decided to support the nomination25.

Kennedy made several promises to Cassidy, including maintaining current vaccine approval and safety monitoring systems, and providing advance notice of any changes to vaccine safety programs15.

Cassidy and Kennedy agreed to have regular meetings and collaborations if Kennedy is confirmed as HHS Secretary5.

The nomination now awaits a full vote in the U.S. Senate, where Republicans can afford to lose just three votes to confirm Kennedy without Democratic support2.

Sources:

1. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/public-health/cassidys-support-rfk-jrs-hhs-nomination-moves-forward

2. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-nomination-nomination-vote-senate-committee/

4. https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2025-02-04-senate-finance-committee-advances-rfk-jr-nomination-hhs-secretary

5. https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-delivers-floor-speech-in-support-of-rfk-jr-to-be-hhs-secretary/