Vaccine Policy Standoff
Sen. Bill Cassidy Backs CDC Nominee Erica Schwartz Amid Concerns Over Political Pressure on Vaccines
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Key Points
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Cassidy previously voted to confirm Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy Jr. despite misgivings, and has since emerged as one of Kennedy’s main GOP critics on vaccine policy.
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The Senate Health Committee vote is narrowly divided (12-11), making Cassidy’s support potentially decisive for Schwartz’s path to a full Senate vote, while Bernie Sanders plans to oppose.
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The CDC has been led in an interim capacity by Jay Bhattacharya since February, as the agency awaits Senate confirmation of Schwartz.
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Schwartz’s predecessor, Susan Monarez, was fired after clashing with Kennedy over vaccines, a point that has intensified scrutiny of Schwartz’s ability to stand up to the health secretary.
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Kennedy ordered changes to the CDC’s vaccine-autism language on its website last year, with the site adding a disclaimer that the claim 'vaccines do not cause autism' is not an evidence-based claim.
Sen. Bill Cassidy signaled support for Dr. Erica Schwartz, President Trump's pick to lead the CDC, after grilling her on whether she would resist political pressure on vaccines. The Senate Health Committee delayed its vote due to attendance issues, but Cassidy's backing could be decisive in a panel split 12-11, according to CNN.
Schwartz is Trump's third CDC director nominee. Her path has been shaped by the firing of her predecessor, Susan Monarez, who clashed with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccines. The stakes are high: measles cases have hit a 35-year high, and the CDC has been without a confirmed director since February.
Cassidy's Support Clinches Key Committee Vote
Cassidy said he reviewed Schwartz's confirmation transcript and talked to colleagues who know her. "She knows what she's doing," he said, adding that she would stand against those who push back on science. His support matters because the Senate Health Committee is split 12-11, making him a potential tiebreaker, according to CNN.
Sen. Bernie Sanders plans to vote against Schwartz. Sanders has raised concerns about Kennedy's influence over vaccine policy at the CDC. The committee did not set a new vote date after the delay, but leadership signaled Schwartz's confirmation is now likely to advance, KRCG TV reported.
CDC Website Change on Vaccines and Autism Seals the Deal
A key factor in Cassidy's decision was a change to the CDC's website. Kennedy had ordered the site to add a disclaimer saying the claim that "vaccines do not cause autism" is not an "evidence-based" claim. That edit alarmed many health experts and lawmakers. Cassidy wanted assurance the change would be reversed, CNN reported.
The website update became a symbol of the broader fight over Kennedy's influence on CDC policy. Supporters of Schwartz argue she would help restore credible, science-based guidance. Critics worry Kennedy will continue to shape CDC messaging regardless of who sits in the director's chair.
A Revolving Door of CDC Directors Under Kennedy's Shadow
Schwartz is the third person Trump has nominated to lead the CDC. The first pick, Dr. David Weldon, was withdrawn. The second, Susan Monarez, was fired after disagreeing with Kennedy over vaccines. Since February, the agency has been run on an interim basis by Jay Bhattacharya, leaving a leadership void during a public health crisis, according to ABC 17 News.
The revolving door has weakened public trust in the CDC at a critical moment. Measles cases have reached their highest level in 35 years. Health officials and lawmakers from both parties say the agency needs a confirmed, independent leader who can deliver clear vaccine guidance to a skeptical public.
Cassidy Emerges as Kennedy's Most Vocal GOP Critic
Cassidy voted to confirm Kennedy as Health and Human Services Secretary despite reservations. Since then, he has become one of Kennedy's sharpest Republican critics on vaccine policy. He has pushed back on the CDC website changes and pressed nominees hard on whether they would put science above politics, CNN reported.
That tension runs through the entire Schwartz confirmation. Supporters say she would bring stability and rebuild trust in the CDC. But with Kennedy still running HHS and Sanders leading Democratic opposition, her path forward — even after a committee vote — will remain contentious.
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