WASHINGTON – Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy will launch a working group on Wednesday to explore ways to overhaul the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cassidy, chairman of health, education, labor, pensions or support, announced at one point that at a group of seven Republicans would draft legislation to restructure the agency.
“The public relies on the CDC to provide clear and unbiased health guidance, especially in times of crisis. If the CDC fails, the health of Americans is threatened,” writes Cassidy. “The Trump administration is committed to improving health transparency, but there is a need for lasting legislative reforms to ensure the CDC can meet the public health needs of Americans. We look forward to working with our Republican colleagues to achieve this mission.”
The group includes Cassidy, Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, Utah Sen. Mike Lee, Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall, Alaska Sen. Lisa Mulkowski, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the CDC is the leading federal government public health agency that tracks disease outbreaks around the country and shares information with the public.
The agency that received $9.2 billion in funding from Congress over the past year’s spending bill has been scrutinized by Republicans throughout the Republican pandemic on masking, social distancing and vaccination recommendations.
The group’s launch came one day before the Help Committee was scheduled We will hold a hearing About David Weldon’s nomination as director of the CDC. The agency will hold a hearing It is expected to conduct research We will reconsider whether there may be a link between autism and the vaccine.
Many scientific research It shows The vaccine does not cause autism. Cassidy, as well as members of the Aid Committee of both parties, urged some of President Donald Trump’s candidates to acknowledge the fact. confirmation Public hearing.
In a statement, Scott wrote that reforms at the CDC “need to make Americans trust this institution again.”
“We are pleased to be part of Dr. Cassidy’s efforts to ensure that the CDC is true to its mission and focus to protect the health and safety of the American people.”
Cassidy’s office didn’t immediately answer questions about whether Democrats were invited to join the working group.
The Senate is calling for at least 60 lawmakers to limit debate over the law and move on to final passage. With Republicans currently holding 53 seats, laws that require CDC overhauls or institutions to make minor tweaks will require democratic support.
Last updated at 2:39pm, March 12, 2025
