Kennedy has long sown doubts about the safety and efficacy of vaccines that have helped curb disease and prevent deaths for decades. He disputes the anti-vaccine characterization and has said he would not prevent Americans from getting inoculations.
Before the vote on Tuesday, Republican committee member Bill Cassidy, a medical doctor who also chairs the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, was seen as a potential swing vote against Kennedy after he said during a confirmation hearing last week that he was struggling with the decision.
As the vote was occurring, Cassidy posted on social media platform X that he had “very intense conversations” with Kennedy and the White House over the weekend and Tuesday morning.
“I want to thank VP JD (Vice President JD Vance) specifically for his honest counsel,” Cassidy added. “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.”
