GOP senator faces intraparty criticism after saying he is 'struggling' with RFK Jr's confirmation

The top Republican on the Senate's health committee, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., faced criticism from fellow Republicans after he suggested his vote for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation as Health and Human Services secretary is not a lock.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., center, President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services, talks with Committee Chairman Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., left, following his testimony during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing for his pending confirmation on Capitol Hill on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington, D.C. ( AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

"The Senate is ours, and the moment Trump decides he’s had enough of random senators delaying our mission, JD [Vance] is walking in and taking the gavel as president of the Senate," Higgins said. Vice President JD Vance would be the tie-breaking vote if the resulting tally goes along party lines and Cassidy and two other Republicans defect. Vance did so after GOP Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine voted against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's nomination.     

"There’s zero you can do about that," Higgins said. "We, the people, will not be stopped. We’re saving the country and RFK is part of the formula. So, vote your conscience, senator, or don’t. Either way, we’re watching."

TRUMP HEALTH SECRETARY NOMINEE RFK JR SURVIVES HEATED HEARINGS AHEAD OF CRUCIAL CONFIRMATION VOTES

GOP organizer and strategist Scott Presler said that if Cassidy did not vote for Kennedy, that he would "personally come to Louisiana" to organize a primary challenge against Cassidy in an effort to oust him. "We already have a home base in Iberia Parish," Pressler said. Meanwhile, a chapter of the Louisiana Republican Assembly replied to Pressler's threats, noting they were "ready to mobilize when needed."

Then-Vice President Mike Pence receives a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine shot at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building while still serving as vice president during President Donald Trump's first term in office. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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"It’s refreshing to see senators taking their advise and consent role seriously," AAF President Tim Chapman said when asked about Cassidy's comments. "We have separate branches of government for a reason, and nominees, such as RFK, who will be handling the largest amount of taxpayer dollars and controlling the federal response to the life issue deserve serious consideration. Every senator must treat this nominee with the same gravitas that Senator Cassidy is."

Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for Cassidy but did not receive a response by publication time. 

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