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WASHINGTON — Sen. Invoice Cassidy, R-La., grilled Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy on his skepticism of vaccines Thursday, arguing that his actions fly within the face of one among President Donald Trump’s greatest achievements.
Cassidy opened his questioning at a Senate listening to by asking Kennedy if he agrees Trump ought to get a Nobel Prize for the event of the Covid vaccine within the throes of the pandemic throughout his first time period, often called Operation Warp Velocity.
Kennedy replied rapidly: “Completely, senator.”
Cassidy was skeptical.
“However you simply informed Sen. [Michael] Bennet that the Covid vaccine killed extra folks than Covid. That was an announcement,” Cassidy stated, including that “it surprises me that you just assume so extremely of Operation Warp Velocity when, as an lawyer, you tried to limit entry” to the Covid vaccine.
Kennedy denied that he stated the vaccine killed extra folks than Covid, and supplied to elucidate why he carried out authorized work in opposition to the vaccine. However Cassidy was unimpressed, saying he had restricted time and continued with additional questions.
Cassidy cited testimonials from a conservative commentator that HHS actions are making it tougher for some Individuals to get the Covid vaccine, and from physicians frightened that the shortage of steerage from HHS concerning the vaccine might create legal responsibility issues.
“I’d say, successfully, we’re denying folks vaccine,” Cassidy informed Kennedy throughout his questioning.
The weird alternate comes as Cassidy walks a political tightrope. He is a physician and proponent of vaccines. However he is additionally working for re-election within the deep-red state of Louisiana, the place he faces a problem from the MAGA wing of the celebration. Trump has not made an endorsement within the race.
Cassidy’s technique Thursday was to voice his skepticisms of Kennedy by means of the language of Trump’s motion: by presenting them as a method to present assist for the president and to guard his legacy.
Trump has a posh historical past on the matter. He took pleasure within the Covid vaccine rollout through the pandemic. However throughout his 2024 comeback marketing campaign, Trump additionally sought to channel anger on the authorities’s response to Covid inside his base — together with mistrust of public well being officers that has translated into some anti-vaccine sentiments.
That led to the partnership between Trump and Kennedy, the scion of a Democratic political dynasty that now eschews his politics, and in the end, the president’s choice of him as HHS secretary.
Earlier this yr, Cassidy, the chair of the Well being, Schooling, Labor and Pensions Committee, overtly acknowledged he struggled with Kennedy’s nomination. Cassidy ended up offering essential assist for Kennedy after receiving assurances that he wouldn’t sow mistrust or harm the provision of vaccines. With Cassidy’s backing, Kennedy superior to the Senate flooring, the place he was confirmed 52-48. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was the lone Republican to hitch all Democrats in voting in opposition to Kennedy.
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., stated Kennedy broke his promise to Cassidy and may resign.
“He has fully gone in opposition to what he pledged to this committee and to my pal Invoice Cassidy,” Warner informed reporters. “This can be a big step backwards.”
Cassidy was one among two Republican docs, together with Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming, who voiced concern Thursday that Kennedy’s actions could negatively affect public well being.
“To me, what’s extra necessary is that there are Republicans like Invoice Cassidy, with medical levels, which are starting to name the query on the madness that Robert Kennedy is spewing in all places,” Bennet, D-Colo., informed reporters. “I simply hope that it will not be too late.”
Cassidy left the Senate Finance Committee listening to room after questioning Kennedy on Thursday and informed reporters a number of occasions that his alternate speaks for itself. Requested if he regrets his pivotal vote to verify Kennedy to the place, Cassidy did not reply earlier than disappearing into an elevator.
Inside a number of hours, Cassidy posted his portion of remarks from the listening to on X, asking why Trump hasn’t acquired a Nobel for Operation Warp Velocity.
Frank Thorp V and Ryan Nobles contributed.
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