Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) put Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the spot about his history of anti-vaccine activism at a hearing of the health panel Cassidy chairs on Thursday, prompting Kennedy to say he would “apologize for any statement that misled people” about vaccine safety.
Cassidy, seen as a crucial vote in determining whether Kennedy will win confirmation as secretary of Health and Human Services, repeatedly pressed Kennedy about whether he would discourage vaccination at HHS or make unfounded claims about vaccines’ risks.
Cassidy, who treated liver disease as a gastroenterologist before entering politics, began his questioning by recounting the “worst day” in his medical career, transporting a young woman in liver failure due to hepatitis B.
“$50 of vaccines could’ve prevented this,” he said.
Cassidy asked for a “yes” or “no” as to whether the nominee would unequivocally say hepatitis B and measles vaccines do not cause autism, as Kennedy has previously suggested.
Kennedy qualified his answer, saying he would do so “if the data is there, I will absolutely do that.” Pressed further by Cassidy, he said if he were furnished with the data, he would make the commitment.
Kennedy has a significant following, Cassidy said, noting that he’s hearing from Kennedy supporters and that patients in Louisiana cite the nominee when deciding not to get vaccinated.
“Your bully pulpit’s incredible,” he said, asking again if he would use it to discourage vaccination.
Kennedy responded that he was “not going to go into HHS and impose my preordained opinions on anybody at HHS. I’m going to empower the scientists to do their job.”
