Senate Democrats Criticize Robert F Kennedy Jr During Confirmation Hearing
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces criticism from Senate Democrats during his confirmation hearing for Health Secretary, highlighting the conflict of interest regarding healthcare donations.
During Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Senate Democrats criticized the healthcare nominee for chasing money and influence, while they have received millions of dollars from the healthcare industry.
Sen. Ron Wyden said that Kennedy, who Trump nominated to be his Health and Human Services Department Secretary, is "someone who chases money and influence wherever they lead, even if that may mean the tragic death of children and other vulnerable people."
Although Wyden attacked Kennedy for allegedly chasing "money and influence," it appears that Wyden has raised significant sums from the healthcare industry, which has a vested stake in the potential confirmation of Kennedy.
In the five years between 2019 and 2024, Wyden has received sums to his campaign committee and his leadership PAC. They include:
"You're asking me to not sue drug companies, and I'm not gonna agree to that subject," Kennedy said in response to Sen. Elizabeth Warren's (D-MA) questioning.
Warren went on a rant after her questioning of Kennedy, claiming that, if confirmed, he could "bankrupt" vaccine manufacturers:
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) on Wednesday pointed out that Warren received over $5 million from the healthcare industry during her Democrat presidential primary run. This includes:
In a similar fashion to Wyden, health professionals are the fourth largest industry to donate to Warren's campaign committee and her leadership PAC over the last five years.
The Massachusetts senator has received $489,074 from health professionals, $126,056 from pharmaceutical companies, and $109,065 from hospitals and nursing homes.
During his confirmation hearing, Kennedy said he hopes to end the "chronic disease epidemic," which is the crux of his Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement.
He has also sharply criticized the malignant influence of healthcare companies, which he believes has made America more sick.
"President Trump has asked me to end the chronic disease epidemic and Make America Healthy Again," he said.
"If we don't solve chronic disease, senator, all of the other disputes we have about who's paying, and whether it's insurance companies, whether it's providers, whether it's HMOs, whether it's patients or families, all of those are moving deck chairs around on the Titanic," he added.
"We have the highest chronic disease burden of any country in the world," the nominee said.
