Cassidy Advances 2 Health Nominees After HHS Reassurances on Vaccine Oversight
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 30
Cassidy Advances 2 Health Nominees After HHS Reassurances on Vaccine Oversight
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 30
Summary
Bill Cassidy cast the deciding committee vote to advance Sean Kaufman for the preparedness agency and also backed Erica Schwartz for CDC director, sending both nominations to the Senate floor.
Cassidy said senior HHS officials promised personnel changes, tighter oversight and limits on Kaufman’s role in vaccine policy, despite his past anti-vaccine statements and Schwartz’s reluctance to break with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kaufman advanced on a party-line vote, while Schwartz cleared the panel 13-10 with support from Democrat Tim Kaine, who cited the need for confirmed CDC leadership during disease outbreaks.
The votes underscore Cassidy’s willingness to side with the Trump administration even after saying Kennedy has broken earlier vaccine commitments and despite Trump’s past backing of Cassidy’s primary rival.