By Gabriella Borter and Stephanie KellyWASHINGTON (Reuters) – The confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the leading U.S. health official, a nomination highly debated under President Donald Trump’s administration, may depend on Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy. Cassidy, a doctor known for standing up against political pressures, has raised concerns about Kennedy’s stance on vaccines.Cassidy, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, holds a crucial vote scheduled for Tuesday to decide whether Kennedy’s nomination will proceed to the full Senate for final confirmation. While all Democrats on the committee are expected to oppose Kennedy, Cassidy’s decision could potentially halt the nomination.Republican leaders in the Senate may attempt to push for a confirmation vote on the Senate floor despite the committee’s action, although such maneuvers have been uncommon in the past.If Cassidy chooses to vote against Kennedy, it would go against Trump’s call for Republican unity and could pose a political risk for the senator, particularly if he seeks reelection in 2026.Cassidy, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, expressed unease during a recent hearing about Kennedy’s history of questioning vaccine safety, citing his own professional responsibilities as a physician.With a background as a gastroenterologist and former medical school professor, Cassidy’s career highlights include co-founding a community clinic and initiating a program to vaccinate children against Hepatitis B in Louisiana. His wife, Dr. Laura Cassidy, is a retired general surgeon specializing in breast cancer cases.At the hearing, Cassidy challenged Kennedy, questioning whether someone with a long history of vaccine skepticism could adapt their views when tasked with influencing national vaccine policies.If confirmed, Kennedy would lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, overseeing significant healthcare spending and programs such as Medicare and Medicaid covering millions of Americans.Cassidy’s office did not respond to inquiries regarding his stance on Kennedy’s confirmation. Should the nomination proceed to the Senate floor, Kennedy would require majority support, with only a few Republican senators potentially seen as swing votes against him, including Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski. These senators, who had voted against a previous confirmation, did not comment when contacted.Senator John Barrasso, a Finance Committee member and former orthopedic surgeon, voiced his endorsement of Kennedy, suggesting that the nominee would benefit rural healthcare.Cassidy, known for occasionally defying party lines, faces a pivotal decision that could impact Kennedy’s confirmation process, adding a layer of complexity to an already contentious political landscape.
On January 6, 2021, there was an attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Trump. Trump was eventually acquitted due to the support of other Republican senators. One of those senators, Cassidy, faced consequences for his vote. The Louisiana Republican Party censured him, and Trump labeled him as “disloyal.” Notably, Trump had won over 60% of the vote in Louisiana in the previous year’s election.
A Republican strategist in Louisiana, Lionel Rainey III, expressed concerns about Cassidy’s future. Rainey stated, “If he starts voting against the president’s nominees, it wouldn’t put him in an advantageous position to receive the president’s support. I think it would make things more difficult for him.”
Looking ahead to the 2026 election, Cassidy may face challenges due to Louisiana’s single-party primaries, a system that tends to reward party loyalty over moderate stances. Influential figures like billionaire Elon Musk and activists from Turning Point USA have threatened to support primary opponents of lawmakers who oppose the president’s cabinet picks.
Pressure on Cassidy is mounting, with fellow Louisiana Republicans joining forces to sway his decisions. Governor Jeff Landry publicly urged Cassidy to support Kennedy, while Representative Clay Higgins took to social media to make it clear that Kennedy’s confirmation would proceed with or without Cassidy’s backing: “Either way, we’re watching.”
During Kennedy’s recent hearing, Cassidy hinted at potentially obstructing the confirmation process to protect Trump’s legacy. He raised a hypothetical scenario involving a vaccine-related death that could tarnish Trump’s reputation. Cassidy emphasized, “That will cast a shadow over President Trump’s legacy, which I want to be the absolute best legacy it can be.”
(Reporting by Gabriella Borter and Stephanie Kelly; Editing by Scott Malone and Will Dunham)
