RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearing is underway, and Senate Democrats on the committee are making no effort to hide their ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
“Mr. Kennedy has embraced conspiracy theories, quacks, charlatans, especially when it comes to the safety and efficacy of vaccines. He has made it his life’s work to sow doubt and discourage parents from getting their kids life-saving vaccines,” said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
“It has been lucrative for him and put him on the verge of immense power. This is the profile of someone who chases money and influence wherever they lead, even if that may mean the tragic deaths of children,” Wyden added.
Sara Gonzales of Sara Gonzales Unfiltered pointed out that Wyden has received $1.5 million from the health care industry.
“Donors include Molina Healthcare, who—you’re going to be shocked to hear this, Jason—actually has some vaccines on the market. They are a vaccine manufacturer. Quest Diagnostics lab testing, who only get richer the sicker you get, and Novo Nordisk, who is of course in the diabetes industry,” Gonzales explained.
“So yes, Senator Wyden, let’s talk about conflicts of interest. Let’s talk about placing money over the health and safety of our children. Why, Jason, do you think that these senators may not want RFK investigating Big Pharma?” she asked.
Jason Buttrill was also disturbed by what he saw as senators protecting their pharmaceutical donors.
“We’ve never been this sick. We’ve never been this disease-ridden,” Buttrill said. “So the one guy who comes up and is like, ‘Maybe we should try something different, maybe what you’re doing is failing,’ and they’re screeching at him like banshees.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) also attacked RFK Jr., despite her own ties to the health care industry.
“Of course, she takes $748,158 donor dollars from the health care industry. $125,000, almost $126,000, from pharmaceuticals, $108,000 from hospitals, and she has also accepted a donation from Beverly Sackler, a member of the family that owns Purdue Pharma, the maker of oxycontin,” Gonzales noted.
“But she wants to talk to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about any potential conflicts of interest. These people are laughable,” she added.