Republican Senator Bill Cassidy played a pivotal role in advancing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for Health and Human Services secretary by casting a deciding vote in the Finance Committee on Tuesday. However, Cassidy declined to confirm whether Kennedy had explicitly stated in private conversations that vaccines do not cause autism.
When pressed about the nature of his discussions with Kennedy regarding the vaccine-autism link, Cassidy chose not to disclose specific details, citing the confidentiality of their private exchanges. Despite concerns raised by Cassidy, a former physician with 30 years of experience, regarding Kennedy's stance on vaccines and autism, he ultimately supported Kennedy's nomination.
During a floor speech explaining his decision to back Kennedy, Cassidy did not directly address the issue of vaccines and autism. When asked if he believed voting against Kennedy could impact his chances in a Republican primary for reelection next year, Cassidy opted not to provide a definitive response.
Throughout the nomination process, Cassidy had been deliberating on whether to support Kennedy, with the vaccine-autism controversy being a significant factor in his decision-making. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Kennedy's stance on vaccines, Cassidy's vote played a crucial role in advancing Kennedy's nomination.
