Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent financial disclosure statement has raised serious concerns among two Democratic senators on the committee that will decide whether to move forward with his nomination as the next secretary of health and human services.
Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., wrote to Kennedy on Sunday, stating that his recently revised ethics disclosure form only made more concerns about the extent of his possible financial conflicts of interest.
It is evident that you have a wide range of financial interests and engagement in vaccination lawsuits. Warren and Wyden, members of the Finance Committee, noted that it is likely that your family may get a sizable financial payout as a result of the various vaccine-related choices and statements that you would have the authority to make and influence as Secretary.
We have serious concerns about your suitability to be Secretary because of these conflicts and your decades-long career raising questions about the effectiveness and safety of life-saving vaccines, they added.
In a written follow-up to senators late last week following his appearance before two committees, Kennedy stated that he would transfer his financial interests to his son in order to withdraw from the continuing lawsuit against Merck, a manufacturer of HPV vaccines.
Kennedy revealed his financial interests, including referral money from legal firms, including Wisner Baum, before to last week’s proceedings. Merck is being sued by the legal firm for the Gardasil vaccine, which guards against the human papillomavirus.
In matters referred to the firm for contingency fees, I am eligible to collect 10% of the fees awarded. “During my appointment to the position of Secretary, I will not provide representational services in connection with the cases, I am not an attorney of record for the cases, and I am not trying these cases,” his filing stated.
Democratic senators expressed worry that Kennedy could maintain an indirect financial position in a lawsuit involving a vaccine case against an HHS-regulated corporation, notwithstanding his later decision to transfer his investment to his adult son.
Kennedy was urged by the senators to address their concerns regarding financial conflicts by committing in writing to refrain from making decisions or communications related to vaccines, to recuse himself from HHS matters involving cases or litigation in which he or his family have an interest, and to promise not to litigate cases involving vaccines or have a financial interest in litigation for four years after he leaves the position.
Following the filing of his financial reports, Kennedy faced harsh criticism last week. Warren specifically asked him whether he would promise not to make money from his government activities for four years after he leaves his position as health and human services secretary. Kennedy refused to do so.
When he served as HHS secretary, he pledged to follow ethical standards.
Kennedy spokeswoman Katie Miller brushed the letter aside.
“Both @RonWyden and @SenWarren were a no in a Committee before @RobertKennedyJr started speaking let s not pretend this changes anything,” she said on X.
Kennedy’s nomination will be put to a vote by the Finance Committee on Tuesday; in order to move his candidacy forward, a simple majority must agree to send it to the entire floor.