Sen. Invoice Cassidy (R-La.) mentioned he secured important concessions from the Trump administration on vaccine security that led to his vote Tuesday morning to advance the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to guide the Division of Well being and Human Companies (HHS).
Cassidy voted with all different Finance Committee Republicans on Tuesday to advance Kennedy’s nomination to the ground.
Talking on the Senate ground, Cassidy mentioned Kennedy and the administration reached out “looking for to reassure me concerning their dedication to defending the general public well being advantage of vaccination.”
To that finish, Cassidy mentioned the White Home and Kennedy pledged to take care of a key federal advisory board; to work inside the established, present vaccine security methods; and to provide Cassidy enter on HHS hiring selections.
“My expectation that we are able to have a terrific working relationship to make America wholesome once more is the idea of my assist,” Cassidy mentioned.
Cassidy mentioned Kennedy dedicated to showing earlier than the Senate Well being, Training, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee on a quarterly foundation if requested. He additionally pledged to permit the committee chair to decide on a consultant on any board or fee fashioned to overview vaccine security.
If Kennedy is confirmed, Cassidy mentioned HHS will present a 30-day discover to the HELP Committee if the company seeks to make modifications to any federal vaccine security monitoring applications.
Cassidy mentioned the committee can have the choice to name a listening to “to additional overview the commitments” if warranted.
Cassidy mentioned the administration additionally agreed to not take away statements on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention web site declaring that vaccines don’t trigger autism.
Cassidy was the pivotal vote for Kennedy’s nomination. Throughout a affirmation listening to final week, he mentioned had serious doubts about whether or not Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine activist, is certified to guide the company, primarily over his historical past of selling a false link between vaccines and autism.
Cassidy spent greater than 30 years as a gastroenterologist earlier than changing into a politician. He mentioned on Thursday he was “struggling” together with his vote, earlier than finally voting to advance the nomination.
Add comment