Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy voted Tuesday to advance the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the nation’s health agency despite the senator’s reservations about Kennedy’s past skepticism of vaccines.
Cassidy was considered the swing vote on the Finance Committee, which voted 14-13 Tuesday along party lines to advance RFK Jr.’s nomination to the full Senate.
Cassidy, a doctor, said during a committee hearing last week that he was struggling with President Donald Trump’s nomination of Kennedy because of Kennedy’s history of discrediting vaccines, though Cassidy has praised Kennedy’s advocacy for promoting healthier diets.
He said Vice President JD Vance helped sway his vote in favor of Kennedy’s nomination.
“I’ve had very intense conversations with Bobby and the White House over the weekend and even this morning,” Cassidy said in a statement. “I want to thank (Vance) 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.”
Cassidy’s vote likely will assure Kennedy’s confirmation by the full Senate.
More: Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy faces growing pressure to confirm RFK Jr. from own delegation
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy makes swing vote on RFK Jr. nomination
