Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy called the 
Donald Trump administration's handling of measles a "terrible legacy" on Wednesday, at a Senate health committee confirmation hearing for Nicole Saphier, the president's third surgeon general nominee. Other Trump health nominees appeared alongside her at what The Hill reported was a tame Senate hearing.
What did Cassidy say? Cassidy, who PBS NewsHour reported spoke at the start of the hearing about the "serious health issues" facing the country, highlighted Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s efforts to scale back vaccine guidance as the U.S. endures its worst year for measles in decades. "That is going to be a terrible legacy for this administration," Cassidy said, telling the nominees he hoped they would restore confidence in public health. Cassidy, who was defeated by a Trump-backed challenger in his Republican primary earlier this year, then criticized what he called "irresponsible" health policy leadership.
How did Saphier answer? Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News Channel contributor, faced tough questioning from Cassidy, who pressed her to declare whether she believed there was a link between vaccines and autism, PBS NewsHour reported. "I do not believe childhood vaccines cause autism," she said, and she called the MMR vaccine "our greatest tool for combating measles," a shot Trump recently ordered be spaced out. When she said she appreciated the administration's attempts to address concerns among "the vaccine hesitant people," Cassidy countered that this was only creating more confusion. Saphier, who has questioned whether every child needs the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, said on Wednesday that the universal birth dose was safe and effective.
Who else faced questions? Chris Klomp, chief counselor of the Health and Human Services Department, who has been nominated to serve as Kennedy's second-in-command, also faced lawmakers' questions Wednesday, as did Timothy Westlake, chief of staff at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, who is seeking confirmation as assistant secretary for mental health and substance use, PBS NewsHour reported. It was not immediately clear when the committee planned to vote on whether to advance Saphier, who would still need a vote by the full Senate.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump. — JudgeMarket.
