Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, faced scrutiny from senators regarding his potential financial interests in vaccine litigation, particularly involving the HPV vaccine Gardasil.
During confirmation hearings, concerns were raised about Kennedy's history of casting doubt on vaccines and the possibility of financial gain from such actions. Democratic senators Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren expressed unease over Kennedy's extensive involvement and financial ties to vaccine-related litigation.
In response to these concerns, Kennedy pledged to divest his interest in vaccine litigation to his adult son, who is a licensed attorney in California. However, Senators Wyden and Warren deemed this arrangement as insufficient, calling for Kennedy to recuse himself from vaccine-related decisions and communications if confirmed as secretary.
The senators also requested Kennedy to abstain from involvement in matters related to HHS entities engaged in litigation that he or his family have a financial stake in. Additionally, they urged Kennedy to commit to refraining from litigating vaccine cases, representing parties in vaccine injury lawsuits, or having any financial interest in such litigation for at least four years post his tenure.
Wyden and Warren emphasized the necessity for Kennedy to address these conflicts transparently to serve credibly as secretary of HHS. The Senate Finance Committee is set to vote on Kennedy's nomination following the concerns raised during the confirmation process.
