Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, who has repeatedly criticized President Donald Trump's administration over health issues, slammed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over a website related to
autism and vaccines.
The gastroenterologist during a July 26 interview on CNN's "State of the Union" called out the health authority for saying online that it's "not an evidence-based claim" that vaccines don't cause autism.
"That is what gives some parents hesitancy regarding having their children vaccinated," Cassidy told host Dana Bash, who asked if the site was a "good faith attempt to stop spreading what you call 'misinformation about vaccines.'"
The health hawk told Bash the claims will make parents hesitant to do "the right thing, which is to have their child vaccinated." Cassidy continued, telling Bash that "it's been firmly established vaccines do not cause autism."
Cassidy, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, is an outspoken advocate for vaccines. When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was being considered as the nation's health secretary last year, Cassidy asked him to "come out unequivocally" and say vaccines are safe and they do not cause autism.
Cassidy ultimately voted to confirm Kennedy but has targeted the political heir's tenure leading the Department of Health and Human Services.
On "State of the Union," Cassidy told Bash that it has been scientifically proven that vaccines don't cause autism over decades. "The fact that that is still there is almost an insult to the American people," Cassidy said. "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, whoever we is."
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.
Trump's handpicked candidate defeated Cassidy
Cassidy's pushback comes after he was defeated in his reelection bid in May, failing to make it into a Louisiana primary runoff that Trump's handpicked candidate, Rep. Julia Letlow, ultimately won.
The Republican senator hasn't just clashed with the Trump administration over health issues. He's also targeted Trump's handling of the Iran war, and several GOP lawmakers said he and Trump got into a shouting match over the conflict last month during a closed-door meeting.
Still, Cassidy has vowed to support Trump's latest surgeon general nominee, Erica Schwartz, as she seeks to be confirmed as the nation's top doctor. Schwartz was previously the deputy surgeon general.
Trump pulled the nominations of his previous picks, former Fox News medical contributor Janette Nesheiwat and Casey Means, a popular influencer and physician who no longer practices medicine. Cassidy praised Schwartz during his appearance on CNN's "SOTU," telling Bash he hopes Schwartz can make positive changes.
Contributing: Sara Moniuszko
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Almost an insult': Republican senator slams CDC over autism, vaccines website
