Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy on RFK Jr., Trump recess appointments

Louisiana Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy will be the new chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, increasing Louisiana’s clout in Congress as the GOP takes full control in Washington.
Cassidy, a medical doctor, also issued his first comment about vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial nomination to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Louisiana’s senior senator also said this week he would support Trump’s insistence that the Senate grant “recess appointments” as a last resort if Democrats try to stall or torpedo controversial nominations like RFK Jr.
Cassidy praised Kennedy’s advocacy for better nutrition without mentioning RFK Jr.’s past positions on vaccines.
“RFK Jr. has championed issues like healthy foods and the need for greater transparency in our public health infrastructure,” Cassidy said in a statement. “I look forward to learning more about his other policy positions and how they will support a conservative, pro-American agenda.”
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Trump has said he wants the ability to make recess appointments rather than have his choices go through the normal Senate confirmation process.
Cassidy told reporters this week Trump’s nominees “should go through the Senate process,” but would support bypassing confirmation hearings if Democrats “gum up the works too much.”
Recess appointments can be made under limited circumstances when the Senate isn’t in session.
Cassidy will be the first doctor to chair the Senate Health Committee in nearly a century when the new Congress convenes in January.
“I am excited to work closely with President Trump and my Republican colleagues to implement a Pro-America agenda and deliver real solutions for Louisiana and American families,” he said in a statement.
More:Speaker Mike Johnson of Shreveport nominated to keep top job with Donald Trump’s backing
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1