Feb. 3 (UPI) — Senate Democrats sent a letter demanding additional information on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s financial connection to vaccine-related lawsuits ahead of Tuesday’s vote to confirm him as Health and Human Services secretary.
Democrats are trying to determine Kennedy’s financial stake and if that could be impacted by his possible role as HHS secretary. The senators, led by Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., have called on him to recuse himself from vaccine-related decisions if he is confirmed.
“What is clear is that your involvement and financial interests in vaccine litigation are broad and extensive,” Warren and Wyden wrote to Kennedy in the letter dated Sunday.
“It seems possible that many different types of vaccine-related decisions and communications — which you would be empowered to make and influence as secretary — could result in significant financial compensation for your family.”
Kennedy had responded in a written follow-up to senators last week after his testimony before two Senate committees that he would divest his interest in ongoing litigation against drugmaker Merck, the creator of the HPV vaccine, by signing over his financial stake to his son.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said it was clear Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “involvement and financial interests in vaccine litigation are broad and extensive.” Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI
The senators said the plan to have his son collect future referral fees in the lawsuit was hardly enough distance.
“The arrangement outlined in your Ethics Agreement Amendment is plainly inadequate, as it would appear to allow an immediate family member to benefit financially from your position as secretary,” Wyden and Warren wrote.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said Robert F. Kennedy’s plan to have his son collect future referral fees in a vaccine lawsuit lawsuit was hardly enough distance. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI
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