Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a gastroenterologist and chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, has publicly criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its website's messaging regarding vaccines and autism. During a July 26 interview on CNN's "State of the Union," Cassidy challenged the health authority's online claim that it is "not an evidence-based claim" that vaccines do not cause autism.
Addressing host Dana Bash, Cassidy argued that such language contributes to parental hesitancy regarding childhood vaccinations. He emphasized that it has been firmly established through decades of scientific research that vaccines do not cause autism spectrum disorder. Describing the continued presence of this language on the agency's website as "almost an insult to the American people," Cassidy suggested that the CDC is failing to communicate the truth, noting, "We don't care enough about you to tell the truth. We want to continue to promote that which has been proven false, but we don't want to admit it."
Cassidy has been a vocal advocate for immunization. During the confirmation process for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the nation's health secretary last year, Cassidy urged him to explicitly affirm the safety of vaccines and state that they do not cause autism. While Cassidy ultimately voted to confirm Kennedy, he has remained critical of his leadership at the Department of Health and Human Services.
The senator's remarks align with concerns raised by various public health groups and physicians. Many public health groups and physicians across the country have also denounced language on the CDC website about vaccines and autism spectrum disorder, despite decades of evidence showing approved immunizations are safe. Beyond his health policy advocacy, Cassidy has experienced recent political friction, including a defeat in his May reelection bid after failing to reach a Louisiana primary runoff. Additionally, reports indicate tension between Cassidy and the Trump administration regarding the handling of the Iran war, with accounts of a shouting match between the two during a closed-door meeting last month.
