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Senator Cassidy Cites Trump Vaccine Policy in Measles Deaths Hearing

lite News Desk 2 min read

At a glance

  • Senator Bill Cassidy referenced Pennsylvania measles deaths during a Senate hearing.
  • Dr. Nicole Saphier, nominee for surgeon general, addressed vaccine safety questions.
  • The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles outbreak since 1991.

During a Senate confirmation hearing on September 16, 2026, recent measles deaths in Pennsylvania were discussed as part of the ongoing review of federal vaccine policy and public health leadership.

Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana and chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, addressed the Trump administration’s approach to vaccines during the hearing. Cassidy referenced two unvaccinated individuals who died of measles in Pennsylvania earlier in 2026, according to the state’s health department.

Cassidy questioned Dr. Nicole Saphier, the Trump administration’s nominee for surgeon general, about her views on the safety of the MMR vaccine. He specifically asked her to clarify whether she believed the MMR vaccine causes autism, a topic that has been the subject of public debate in recent years.

Dr. Saphier responded that she had not encountered reputable evidence linking vaccines to autism. She further stated that the MMR vaccine is a critical tool for preventing measles and said she did not believe childhood vaccines cause autism.

What the numbers show

  • Two unvaccinated people died of measles in Pennsylvania in 2026.
  • Measles cases in the U.S. in 2026 have already surpassed those in 2025.
  • 2026 marks the most severe U.S. measles outbreak since 1991.

The United States is currently experiencing its most severe measles outbreak in more than 35 years. Health data indicate that the number of measles cases reported in 2026 has already exceeded the total for all of 2025, making this year the worst for measles since 1991.

Before Dr. Saphier’s nomination, the U.S. had not had a confirmed surgeon general since January 2025. The Senate hearing was part of the process to fill this vacancy and address ongoing public health concerns related to vaccine-preventable diseases.

Cassidy lost his Republican primary in May 2026, following previous disagreements with former President Trump, including his vote in the 2021 impeachment proceedings. Since then, Cassidy has become an outspoken figure regarding the administration’s vaccine and public health strategies.

The Senate hearing highlighted ongoing discussions about vaccine policy, leadership in federal health agencies, and responses to the current measles outbreak. The confirmation process for Dr. Saphier remains ongoing as the Senate continues to review her qualifications and positions on public health issues.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.

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