In a September 20, 2026, interview on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana and chair of the Senate Health Committee, discussed a range of topics, including political controversies, national debt, and public health issues. Cassidy addressed the situation involving Donald Trump's son, who reportedly repaid a Russian billionaire for part of his wedding expenses. While Cassidy acknowledged that repaying the money was a positive step, he criticized the initial arrangement, given the billionaire's close ties to the Russian government, or the Kremlin. Cassidy also spoke about the growing national debt, warning that any proposal to distribute large sums of money to Americans, such as a $5,000 per-person payment suggested by President Trump if Republicans win the midterms, could lead to inflation. He argued that addressing the debt would require difficult choices, such as reforming Social Security, which he said could help reduce the country's financial burden. Cassidy emphasized the need for responsible fiscal policies to avoid long-term economic instability. On the topic of vaccines, Cassidy addressed President Trump's claim that splitting children's vaccines into five doses would reduce autism. He expressed concern over the lack of scientific evidence supporting this claim and stressed the importance of vaccine safety. Cassidy also mentioned Dr. Heidi Overton, who had been nominated to serve as the FDA commissioner. While he noted that her presence with Trump during a false statement about the MMR vaccine being lethal was troubling, he said her commitment to vaccine safety could earn her support. Cassidy also discussed the recent rise in measles outbreaks and the CDC director's efforts to clarify how many deaths are directly linked to the disease. He noted that while one death was associated with measles, others were confirmed as caused by the disease itself. He highlighted the risks measles poses to vulnerable groups, such as infants in neonatal intensive care units, and stressed the importance of vaccination. Cassidy suggested that political rhetoric around vaccines could affect the Republican Party's performance in the upcoming midterms, especially given the strong support for childhood immunization among women, who often make health decisions for their families.