Senate Democrats Scrutinize Ethics Agreement of HHS Secretary

Senate Democrats are examining whether Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sought a workaround in an ethics agreement amid inconsistencies in his financial disclosures. Concerns have arisen following discrepancies related to Kennedy’s involvement in a lawsuit.

During Kennedy’s confirmation process last year, the lawsuit, led by law firm Wisner Baum, targeted Merck over claims that its HPV vaccine, Gardasil, caused neurological and autoimmune injuries. Merck settled the lawsuit earlier this year, agreeing to pay $50 million without admitting any wrongdoing, asserting that their product remains safe and effective.

After the settlement, Wisner Baum stated that neither Kennedy nor his son would receive benefits from it, contradicting Kennedy’s previous assurance to Congress regarding the management of his interests. Initially, Kennedy disclosed that he would assign his interests to his son. However, HHS later revealed that these interests were reassigned to Wisner Baum, as confirmed by the firm.

Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Richard Blumenthal, and Angela Alsobrooks expressed skepticism, querying the conditions under which Kennedy relinquished his stakes to Wisner Baum. They demanded clarification if the modification might offer Kennedy additional benefits upon his departure from government service.

“Secretary Kennedy fully complied with his ethics agreement and divested his entire financial interest in the Gardasil contingency-fee cases before assuming his duties as Secretary,” stated HHS Senior Press Secretary Emily Hilliard. “He retained no financial interest in the fees, and HHS ethics officials confirmed his compliance to the congressional committees,” she added.

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