Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a physician and chair of the Senate health committee, called Monday for the Trump administration to postpone a meeting of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s newly appointed vaccine advisory panel, citing concerns over its scientific legitimacy.
Cassidy, who once supported Kennedy’s confirmation as Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, argued the panel is too small and lacks key expertise. “Wednesday’s meeting should not proceed with a relatively small panel, and no CDC Director in place to approve the panel’s recommendations,” Cassidy wrote on X.
He criticized Kennedy’s eight appointees, saying they “do not have significant experience studying microbiology, epidemiology, or immunology,” and “may even have a preconceived bias” against mRNA vaccines. Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, recently dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—a move that contradicted assurances he gave during his confirmation.
Cassidy had voted to confirm Kennedy based on those promises, making the abrupt firings a point of contention. The decision sparked backlash from public health experts and journalists earlier this month, with critics accusing Kennedy of sidelining scientific expertise in favor of ideological preferences.
In response, Kennedy offered Cassidy the chance to appoint an additional committee member, according to Bloomberg. However, the Louisiana senator remains unconvinced that the panel, as currently structured, can provide unbiased guidance.
The controversy unfolds as Cassidy prepares to oversee Wednesday’s confirmation hearing for Susan Monarez, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the CDC—the same day Kennedy’s vaccine panel is scheduled to meet. Both the CDC and HHS declined to comment on the dispute.
The clash highlights growing tensions within the administration over vaccine policy, with Kennedy’s controversial approach drawing scrutiny from former allies. Public health advocates warn that sidelining established scientific review processes could undermine confidence in immunization programs. As the debate continues, Cassidy’s push to delay the panel’s meeting signals deepening skepticism over Kennedy’s leadership at HHS.