During Thursday's hearing with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Sen. Bill Cassidy tried to strike a balance between his support for President Trump and his medical ideals.

Cassidy opened his remarks by saying he felt President Donald Trump deserved a Nobel prize for Operation Warp Speed, then said Kennedy's cancelation of $500 million in contracts related to the MRNA vaccine platform seems inconsistent.

Cassidy a medical doctor who voted for Kennedy's confirmation but admitted his skepticism of his qualifications at the time, requested his questioning time back as Kennedy repeatedly interrupted him.

During his exchange with Cassidy, Kennedy noted that Trump pushed development of the COVID-19 vaccine, but said he also "promoted therapeutics like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine."

The unproven treatments soared in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, largely among those skeptical of vaccines.

Ivermectin is an anti-parasite drug. Trump said that he took hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug, to try to prevent COVID-19.

In repeated tests, neither drug has been shown to effectively prevent or treat COVID-19.

The Louisiana Republican is already facing a crowded GOP primary field in his 2026 reelection bid. And after placing a key vote for Kennedy's nomination, his questions were under particular scrutiny.

Cassidy ended his time with Kennedy by saying, “effectively, you are denying people vaccines.”