Five months after Sen. Bill Cassidy asked RFK Jr. to testify, it still hasn't happened

Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican who now faces a MAHA challenger, was the key vote to confirm Kennedy despite his misgivings.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Five months after Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy invited Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to appear before the powerful health committee he chairs, the hearing has not happened, and the senator continues to say there is no date set for it to take place. Cassidy, a Louisiana doctor who is supportive of vaccines, publicly requested Kennedy testify before the Senate Health Committee on Sept. 18 for an oversight hearing to 'share his side of the story' after Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez was abruptly ousted from her job.

Why it matters

Cassidy was the key vote in getting Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine activist, into his role as HHS secretary. The senator openly expressed concerns about Kennedy, particularly his vaccine skepticism, and said he was 'struggling' with the decision. But ultimately Cassidy supported him after Kennedy made several promises, including to meet with Cassidy 'regularly' and appear before the health committee he chairs 'on a quarterly basis, if requested.' Cassidy's repeated public clashes and initial hesitation to support Kennedy have become a focal point of his re-election campaign, as he faces a Trump-endorsed primary challenger, Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La.

The details

Since Cassidy's invitation, the senator has repeatedly said that a date for the hearing is being 'worked out.' Meanwhile, multiple other Cabinet members have appeared for oversight hearings already this year. Before his confirmation, Kennedy had also assured Cassidy he would maintain the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) without changes. Yet, in June, Kennedy fired all 17 members of the ACIP and replaced them with members of his own choosing, including several known vaccine skeptics. Kennedy had also promised Cassidy that he would not remove statements on the CDC's website that vaccines do not cause autism. The site was rewritten in November to suggest, without evidence, that health authorities 'ignored' possible links between the shots and autism.

  • On Sept. 18, Cassidy publicly requested Kennedy testify before the Senate Health Committee.
  • In June, Kennedy fired all 17 members of the ACIP and replaced them with members of his own choosing.
  • In November, the CDC website was rewritten to suggest, without evidence, that health authorities 'ignored' possible links between vaccines and autism.

The players

Sen. Bill Cassidy

A Louisiana Republican who chairs the Senate Health Committee and was the key vote to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary despite his misgivings about Kennedy's vaccine skepticism.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Health and Human Services Secretary and a longtime anti-vaccine activist.

Susan Monarez

The former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director who was abruptly ousted from her job, with her lawyers saying she was fired for refusing to 'rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts.'

Rep. Julia Letlow

A Louisiana Republican who is Cassidy's Trump-endorsed primary challenger.

Tony Lyons

A Kennedy ally who is supporting Cassidy's primary challenger and pledged $1 million through his 'Make America Healthy Again PAC' to help Letlow defeat Cassidy.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.