HHS Secretary RFK Jr Clashes With Sen Warren Over Big Pharma Ties, COVID Vaccine Access

At a contentious Senate Finance Committee hearing, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced sharp questioning from Democratic Senators, notably Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, over his handling of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. Kennedy defended the updated guidelines that no longer recommend COVID boosters for healthy individuals, emphasizing a lack of clinical data to support broader recommendations, while Warren argued this effectively restricts vaccine access and insurance coverage. The exchange escalated when Kennedy accused Warren of receiving substantial contributions from pharmaceutical companies, which she did not directly deny, leading to a heated back-and-forth about vaccine availability and political influence. Warren insisted Kennedy had promised not to limit vaccine access during his confirmation, a claim he denied, asserting he would not recommend vaccines without proper clinical indication. Other Democrats, including Senators Ron Wyden and Maggie Hassan, also challenged Kennedy on his policies and integrity, but he remained defiant throughout the hearing. The confrontation underscored deep partisan divides over COVID-19 vaccine policy and highlighted ongoing tensions between Kennedy and prominent Democratic lawmakers.