Cassidy Says RFK Jr. Lied About Vaccine Schedule

GOP Senator Bill Cassidy accused Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of breaking his pledge to not attempt to tweak the childhood vaccine schedule, saying the claims were “pretty evident.” Cassidy made the remark on ABC News’s “This Week” on Sunday, after President Trump signed an executive order that could give the administration more influence over when children receive routine shots.

The order, signed last week, allows the White House to recommend changes to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines, which set the dates for vaccines like MMR, DTaP and HPV. The schedule has been in place for decades and is backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Republicans argue that the order will protect parents’ rights and improve vaccine safety, while Democrats warn it could erode public trust and reduce coverage.

Cassidy’s criticism comes amid a long history of RFK Jr.’s public statements that have been labeled false by medical experts. He has repeatedly questioned the safety of vaccines, citing a handful of studies and a personal narrative of alleged adverse reactions. In his statement to the press, Cassidy said that RFK Jr. had previously promised not to push for any changes, yet the executive order appears to contradict that pledge. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is slated to hold a hearing next month to review the order and the HHS role. Several state officials have already urged the committee to scrutinize the potential impact on immunization rates.

If the hearing uncovers that the executive order was used to advance a political agenda, the administration could face congressional investigations and possible legal challenges. The CDC’s advisory panel may also be called to review the schedule changes, and the American Academy of Pediatrics has already signaled it would push back against any shift that could lower vaccine uptake. The debate over the schedule touches on a broader fight over vaccine policy, public health, and the limits of executive power. The next few weeks will determine whether the new order sticks or is rolled back by lawmakers and public health experts.