Fallout from the COVID-19 Pandemic has surfaced once again, this time with the anti-vax controversy. A recent highlight of this saga was the Senate Finance Committee taking HHS Secretary RFK Jr. to task for sacking Center for Disease Control (CDC) Director, Dr. Susan Monarez.

Recall that RFK Jr., having no medical credentials and a history of making controversial — let’s face it, outrageous — anti-vaccine statements, had faced a rough confirmation process. Critics have labeled him dangerously unqualified as he had pushed debunked claims of linking measles to autism, insisted that HIV does not cause AIDS, and made numerous other unsubstantiated and unscientific claims.

During the Senate confirmation process for Secretary of HHS, committee Democrats unanimously had opposed recommending the controversial nominee with no medical qualifications. Republicans, with their record of obsequiously obeying Trump’s orders, were expected to quickly obey him once again. But just maybe, this might be an exception.

This Committee had two medical doctors, both presumably in good standing with the profession, Drs. and Senators Cassidy and Barrosso. Surely these two committee members would question putting an unqualified candidate with no medical credentials and a skeptic of vaccinations in such an important position. Senator Cassidy was seen to be the member of major influence on the committee.

Surely, medical science would prevail over obedience to Donald Trump, wouldn’t it?  

No, not with this President, and not with this band of obedient Republicans who had already voluntarily surrendered powers and responsibilities granted to them by the Constitution. Just as House Republicans were surrendering the power of the purse, Senate Republicans were surrendering their Advice and Consent responsibilities.

When questioned, RFK Jr. gave his assurance that he would not “sow distrust or damage the availability of vaccines.” While opposed by all thirteen Democrats, RFK Jr. told Republicans what they wanted to hear. That was enough to get even Senator Cassidy to recommend that the candidate be advanced to the Senate.

For the Senate vote, he was opposed by all the Democrats (including the two Independents) and supported by every Republican except former Senate leader McConnell. This was noteworthy in that McConnell finally made a move against the President that he obviously dislikes, but had steadfastly supported, no matter the issue. McConnell had chastised Trump after the January 6 insurrection, but failed to convict him during the following impeachment trial. But for the RFK Jr’s HHS confirmation McConnell’s would not be the deciding vote, and he is not running for reelection. Hence, no consequence for disobeying Trump. Surely no Profile in Courage award here.

So once again, with the two physician/Senators approval of Kennedy for HHS Secretary, President Trump demonstrates his iron grip over the Republicans of what its members claim is “the world’s greatest deliberative body.”

Anyone who had hoped, or believed, that once assuming office RFJ Jr. would rely on medical professionals regarding HHS policy were badly mistaken. He started by sacking every member of the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. He replaced them with individuals described as outspoken vaccine critics.

He cancelled hundreds of millions of dollars in research funding related to mRNA technology for future vaccines. In response to a measles outbreak, he publicly suggested unproven remedies like cod-liver oil. He proposes to limit access to COVID-19 shots for those under 65. HHS has rescinded its longtime practice of allowing the public to comment on agency plans and abruptly postponed or cancelled public advisory meetings on immunization practices.  

In early 2025, HHS oversaw the layoff of thousands of employees across the CDC, the Food and Drug Association, and the National Institute of Health. With the aforementioned sacking of Director Monarez and subsequent resignation of three top CDC leaders, that was enough to call RFK before the Senate Committee for a grilling.

RFK’s demeanor during the hearing was described as combative and dismissive. He refused to affirm that a million Americans had died from COVID-19. When pressed on his previous anti-vaccine statements he refused to acknowledge that vaccines do not cause autism. He shouted at Minnesota Senator Tina Smith, and told New Mexico Senator Lujan that “he didn’t understand how the world worked.” 

While some Republicans praised RFK for what he had done in office, the two Republican physicians on the committee were less pleased, but still pliable. Regarding RFK’s vaccine skepticism, Senator Barrosso was “deeply concerned” that Kennedy’s action may negatively impact public health.

Senator Cassidy acted as if he was “shocked, shocked” that Kennedy was limiting access to vaccines. It should be recalled that Cassidy’s support was crucial to Kennedy’s advance to the full senate. “I would say, effectively, we’re denying people vaccine,” Cassidy told Kennedy during his questioning. Kennedy replied, “You’re wrong.”

When Cassidy left the hearing room after questioning Kennedy, he told reporters that his exchange with RFK Jr. “speaks for itself.” Asked if he regrets his pivotal vote to confirm Kennedy, he didn’t answer before disappearing into an elevator.

So why would a physician who supports vaccines vote to confirm an outspoken anti-vaccine candidate to head the nation’s premier health agency?

Is Cassidy unintelligent? Of course not; he had the intelligence and determination to overcome the rigors of Med School.

Is he naive, believing that Kennedy would mend his ways, once holding office? No, he is an experienced politician who knows the ropes and had to know that this anti-vaxxer would not change; anyone who could fog a mirror had to know that.

So why did Dr. Cassidy, an intelligent and experienced politician, vote to confirm RFK Jr. to a post for which he is so obviously unqualified and had already demonstrated his malfeasance? It’s pretty obvious. It was a self-serving matter of pure political cowardice. Unlike McConnell, Cassidy is up for reelection in 2026. He was scared stiff to anger Trump who would sic a primary candidate against him if he tried to tank RFK Jr.

Is it better to support an unqualified charlatan in charge of the nation’s major health agency than to risk losing an election? Senator Cassidy missed his moment to prove himself a man of courage. How about at least having the pride to honorably represent his profession — and the health of the nation?

Most of us would assert that if an intelligent senator, a physician no less, doesn’t have the confidence to do what he obviously believes is medically sound, and to withstand a primary against a potential misfit, he doesn’t deserve the post in the first place.

But sadly, that’s we are.

— John Waelti of Monroe, a retired professor of economics, can be reached at jjwaelti1@tds.net. His column appears monthly in the Monroe Times.