Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La, has announced he will support Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Senator Cassidy stated he intends to vote to confirm Kennedy to the crucial cabinet post.
“I’ve had very intense conversations with Bobby and the White House over the weekend and even this morning,” Senator Cassidy said.
Senator Cassidy thanked Vice President JD Vance for his role in the process. He also indicated he had specific points of agreement with Kennedy and the Trump administration on specific areas of policy, including the improvement of quality foods available to Americans.
“I want to thank VP JD specifically for his honest counsel. With the serious commitments I’ve received from the administration and the opportunity to make progress on the issues we agree on like healthy foods and a pro-American agenda, I will vote yes,” he said.
The support of Senator Cassidy is crucial for the prospect of Kennedy’s confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services, as the Senator had previously expressed doubts over his qualifications to fill the role and skepticism regarding Kennedy’s stance on vaccines.
The announcement comes after Senator Cassidy faced internal pressure from Republicans amid his ambivalence to supporting Kennedy. Campaign activists such as Scott Preslar made it clear that they would be looking to primary any GOP senators who did not support President Trump’s cabinet picks.
Cassidy spoke from the Senate floor on Tuesday morning to explain the negotiation process that led to his support of Kennedy. He stated his support for vaccinations, but also acknowledged that “many mothers do need reassurance that the vaccine their child is receiving is necessary, effective, and, most of all, safe.”
He also stated he is “aligned with Mr. Kennedy” on important issues such as ultra-processed foods, reforming NIH and addressing the chronic disease epidemic.
With the support of Senator Cassidy, Kennedy advanced through a Senate Finance Committee vote on Tuesday and his nomination will now move to the floor of the Senate.