Sen. Bill Cassidy rebukes Katie Couric for demeaning Trump health nominee in fiery exchange

Sen.Bill Cassidy rebuked Katie Couric for “demeaning” President Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during a fiery interview in which the Louisiana Republican was repeatedly pressed over his support for the administration’s controversial health officials.Cassidy, a physician who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, bristled after Couric suggested he was willing to settle for an “adequate” CDC nominee in Dr.

Erica G.Schwartz, whom Cassidy has backed despite concerns about whether she would stand up to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.

Kennedy Jr.“You’re implying that there could be a better nominee.I’m not sure there can be,” Cassidy shot back.“When I look at her record, and spoke to her privately, and speak to those who know her well, I think she’ll be a good nominee, and maybe a great one,” he added.Then Cassidy turned on Couric.“I’m not going to lie, you’re demeaning — you’re demeaning her,” he said.“I’m not saying that you’re doing it in a way that attempts to demean, but you are demeaning the quality of who she could be, and I will not accept that.”Couric responded: “Okay, well then I stand corrected,” before asking Cassidy to explain his assertion that Schwartz would be operating under “difficult circumstances” at the CDC.Cassidy acknowledged there could be friction between Schwartz and Kennedy if the CDC director follows the science while her boss takes a different position.“If your secretary doesn’t believe in one thing, and you’re having to adopt something which is more science-based, there’s going to be a certain tension there,” Cassidy said.Couric grilled Cassidy during a contentious interview over the senator’s role in confirming Trump’s health nominees.Cassidy cast the critical vote in the Senate Finance Committee that advanced Kennedy’s nomination in February of last year after publicly expressing deep reserv...