Senator Bill Cassidy Blames Trump Policies for Measles Deaths

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, chairman of the U.S. Senate health committee, blamed the vaccine-skeptical policies of the Trump administration for three measles deaths in Pennsylvania, with a fourth death under review. During a Wednesday hearing, Cassidy criticized the administration's health leadership, specifically Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has promoted debunked links between vaccines and autism.

Cassidy pressed Surgeon General nominee Nicole Saphier to explicitly state that vaccines do not cause autism, warning against the wiggle room used by other officials to undermine scientific consensus. Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News contributor, testified that she does not believe childhood vaccines cause autism and described the MMR vaccine as the greatest tool for combating measles. These positions contrast with those of President Donald Trump and Secretary Kennedy, who have suggested a link between vaccines and autism and sought to scale back immunization schedules.

Saphier also addressed potential conflicts of interest, stating she would resign from her role at DropRx and divest from certain healthcare and food industry holdings if confirmed. The hearing also included testimony from Chris Klomp, nominated as deputy secretary of Health and Human Services, and Timothy Westlake, nominated for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The proceedings occur as the United States faces its worst measles outbreak in over three decades.