The “Make America Healthy Again” initiative spearheaded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been among the most popular second-term additions to President Donald Trump’s agenda.
But even as companies continue to implement changes aimed at meeting those MAHA metrics, at least one of the lawmakers who initially voted to confirm Kennedy is now singing a different tune.
The New York Post reported on the remarks from Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA):
“If you build public health upon a foundation of lies, then you’re going to have the absence of adequate public health,” Cassidy, a gastroenterologist and chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, told CBS News’ “Face The Nation.”
ADVERTISEMENT“You need to build everything in life on truth. I go back to being a doctor. You got to search for the truth and use the truth for your solutions.”
“Face The Nation” host Margaret Brennan had asked Cassidy about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website about vaccines, which includes the header “Vaccines do not cause autism” with an asterisked footnote claiming the statement only remained online due to an agreement with Cassidy.
Above the heading, the website features a list of “key points,” including: “The claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.”
The remarks attracted significant social media criticism for the senator, who was recently defeated by a primary challenger in his re-election bid:
Cassidy looks like the leader of a cult that drink poison.
— Alexie C Rivera (@RedPillLaredo) June 29, 2026
@SenBillCassidy Dude, shut up & go tf away!!!
You’re finished RINO ✌🏽
— Compton 🇺🇸 (@compton415sf) June 29, 2026
He is gonna be unemplyed soon and he throw a fit like a little bitch.
— Brandie with a 🐝 (@BrandieWithABee) June 29, 2026
This guy is utterly despised and peak RINO.
— ATJameson (@AaronTo64018465) June 29, 2026
And as The Hill reported, Kennedy also added to the conversation:
“I went through every promise that I made to them and I’ve kept them all,” the HHS secretary added, recalling his conversation with Cassidy. “I won’t speculate as to why Senator Cassidy is saying those things. I think anybody can make that speculation. But what he’s saying is not true.”
In February 2025, Cassidy voted to confirm Kennedy — who received Senate approval via a 52-48 tally.
That was despite Cassidy, a medical doctor and the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, voicing concerns with Kennedy’s views on vaccines during the confirmation process.
After advancing Kennedy’s nomination out of the Senate Finance Committee, Cassidy said the then-HHS nominee “committed” to working “within the current vaccine approval and safety monitoring systems.” He also indicated alignment with Kennedy on combatting chronic disease and improving food safety.
Here’s a clip of Cassidy’s recent interview:
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