Bill Cassidy snaps at Katie Couric for 'demeaning' Trump's CDC nominee

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) snapped during an interview with veteran journalist Katie Couric when talking about a Trump nominee.

During an episode of Couric's podcast, she dug into what should be the standards for accepting a Trump nominee for a top health official job. Cassidy, a physician, cast the deciding vote to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary, but he grew visibly irritated when Couric pressed him on Dr. Erica Schwarz, the Trump administration's pick to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Couric pointed out that Cassidy is the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which means, "You play a central role in vetting nominees who will work directly under Secretary Kennedy, including the nominee for CDC director Dr. Erica Schwarz," Couric told Cassidy. The interview had mostly focused on Kennedy and his questionable health advice and position on vaccines before turning to Schwarz.

"During Dr. Schwarz's recent hearing, I know that you pressed her, Senator, on whether she would challenge Secretary Kennedy, stating, 'We need a CDC director who will stand up to crazy stupid things being said that undermine faith in immunization,'" Couric recalled. "But the strongest commitment that Dr. Schwarz would make was that she wouldn't quote, 'Betray the science and would lead with integrity.'"

Couric noted that Schwarz reportedly "reassured" Cassidy privately that she would push back against Kennedy, but Couric wanted to know, "Why do you think she couldn't give you that reassurance publicly in the actual hearing?"

Cassidy backed away, saying, "I won't attempt to speak for Dr. Schwarz, but in our private conversation afterwards and from multiple recommendations from those who know her well, she is a woman of high integrity," and assured him she would not "betray the science."

"So an adequate nominee is better than waiting for somebody who, in your view, would be better?" Couric asked.

"You're implying that there could be a better nominee," Cassidy said. "You're demeaning, you're demeaning her...you are demeaning the quality of who she could be, and I will not accept that."

Cassidy conceded Schwarz would face "difficult circumstances," predicting "a certain tension" between a science-based CDC director and a secretary who doesn't share her views.