Welch Joins Wyden, Finance Committee Democrats in Urging Crapo to Investigate RFK Jr. on Anti-Vaccine Actions, Conflicts of Interests

Oct 14, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C.–U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.),a member of the Senate Finance Committee, recently joinedRanking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)and four Senate Finance Committee Democrats in urging Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) to launch a fact-based, bipartisan investigation into Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for his repeated anti-vaccine actions and conflicts of interest.
FDA’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has long been considered the nation’s premier voice on vaccine recommendations. Despite pledging in his confirmation hearing to respect ACIP’s independence, Secretary Kennedy fired all 17 ACIP members in June and replaced them with vaccine deniers whose recent actions threaten to put vaccines out of reach for American children and families. Secretary Kennedy also upended ACIP’s regular working process, and these actions are already denying access to Americans who want the COVID-19 vaccine.
In the letter to Crapo, the Senators underscored:“Secretary Kennedy’s actions put the health and safety of the American people at risk, and Congress must get to the bottom of how he is making decisions related to vaccines and whether his testimony to our Committee aligns with the facts and evidence. We strongly urge the Committee to carry out a bipartisan investigation into Kennedy’s actions and conflicts of interest. Given the severity of these matters and their bearing on the health and safety of children and families, this investigation should be prioritized by the Majority and begin without delay.”
Senate Finance Committee Democrats have been demanding consistent, accurate information regarding Secretary Kennedy’s priorities for U.S. health care since before he was sworn in as HHS Secretary. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) joined Sens. Welch and Wyden on the letter.
Secretary Kennedy’s actions could cause vaccine manufacturers to exit the market, raise prices, and reduce vaccine access for everyone. Under his leadership, ACIP has sown doubts about the safety of vaccines and taken steps that increase out-of-pocket costs for people trying to get vaccinated. His anti-vaccine actions stand in stark contrast to the commitments Kennedy made to Finance Committee members during his confirmation process. For example, since his confirmation:
Senator Welch has been a staunch opponent of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment to serve as HHS Secretary. At a Senate Finance Committee hearing in September, Senator Welchslammed the Secretaryfor using his position to undermine vaccines and dismantle the CDC and the Administration’s failure to lower health care costs. Senator Welch alsospoke on the Senate Floorto emphasize the danger of Secretary Kennedy’s efforts to destroy democratic institutions and undermine the CDC.
Read and downloadthe full text of the Senators’ letter to Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo.
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