Overview
- Sen. Bill Cassidy told CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran public health “upon a foundation of lies” and that promises made to secure Cassidy’s confirmation vote have been violated.
- Cassidy, who cast the decisive Senate vote and negotiated alleged 'guardrails' during Kennedy’s confirmation, said those constraints were not honored and that loss of trust has undermined effective oversight.
- Reporting cites concrete policy moves critics say show the shift, including the May 2025 announcement removing COVID‑19 vaccine recommendations for pregnant women and healthy children, the replacement of CDC vaccine advisers, and a CDC vaccines‑and‑autism page that carries an asterisk tied to an agreement with Cassidy.
- The dispute has become political: Cassidy lost his May primary, recently clashed with President Trump, and publicly urged more scrutiny of HHS while saying he does not view Kennedy’s actions as impeachable.
- The falling public approval for Kennedy, growing congressional discontent and reports that the White House has sometimes limited his activity increase the chance of tighter oversight or role changes, with key developments likely before Cassidy leaves the Senate in January.