US senator blames Trump vaccine policy as measles deaths rise in worst outbreak in decades

A Republican senator has publicly blamed the Trump administration's vaccination policy for a rise in measles deaths in the United States, as the country faces its most severe outbreak in more than 35 years. Bill Cassidy, who chairs the Senate Health Committee and is a doctor, raised the issue during a hearing on Wednesday in Washington. He said the government should appoint public health officials who base decisions on science rather than political ideology.

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Cassidy said three people had died in a measles outbreak in Pennsylvania, with a fourth death still under review. He also pressed Dr Nicole Saphier, the administration's nominee for surgeon general, for a clear answer on whether she believes the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine causes autism. Saphier said she had not seen reputable evidence that vaccines cause autism, and later said the MMR vaccine was the country's greatest tool for combating measles.

The exchange comes as public health experts warn that vaccine scepticism is helping drive the spread of a disease that had previously been all but eliminated in the United States. Cassidy's criticism also placed fresh pressure on senior figures in the administration, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. and President Donald Trump, both of whom have faced criticism for promoting debunked claims linking vaccines to autism. The hearing also covered other nominations, including candidates for deputy secretary of Health and Human Services and for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The measles outbreak has become a test of federal public health policy at a time when the country has not had a surgeon general since January 2025. That vacancy has added weight to the confirmation process, because the surgeon general is one of the most visible public health voices in the federal government. The debate also reflects a wider political divide over vaccination, science and the role of federal health agencies in shaping public confidence.

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Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be prevented through vaccination, and the current outbreak has revived concerns about falling immunisation rates. Cassidy's remarks were notable because they came from a Republican senator and physician speaking directly against the administration's approach. His questioning of Saphier suggested that vaccine policy is likely to remain a contentious issue as the Senate considers key health appointments.

What remains unclear is whether the Pennsylvania deaths will be confirmed as part of the outbreak and how quickly the administration will move to fill the surgeon general post. It is also not yet clear whether the nominees under review will win enough support in the Senate. For now, the outbreak and the hearing have together sharpened scrutiny of federal vaccine policy and the public health response to measles.

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