Politics
Newly released documents contradict RFK Jr.'s testimony regarding 2019 Samoa trip
Letters obtained by news outlets show Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sought to study measles vaccines in Samoa, despite telling senators his visit was unrelated to vaccination.
The short version
- Newly revealed 2019 correspondence shows Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. requested to study Samoa's MMR vaccines, contradicting his Senate confirmation testimony that the visit had nothing to do with vaccines.
- During his confirmation hearings, Kennedy repeatedly told lawmakers that his trip was aimed solely at introducing a health informatics record system.
- The Department of Health and Human Services defended Kennedy, claiming the visit was unrelated to vaccines and asserting that allegations he lied to Congress are false and defamatory.
- Democratic senators have accused Kennedy of misleading Congress, though experts note congressional action is unlikely under the current Republican-led legislature.
Key facts
- Newly obtained documents, including a January 2019 letter to Samoa's prime minister, show Robert F. Kennedy Jr. proposed a health assessment of the country's MMR vaccines following the deaths of two children.[Associated Press · Associated Press · The Guardian]
- In his 2019 letter written on Children's Health Defense letterhead, Kennedy used the words vaccine or vaccination eight times.[Associated Press · Associated Press · The Guardian]
- During his Senate confirmation process, Kennedy repeatedly denied that his 2019 trip to Samoa involved vaccines, stating it was intended to introduce a medical informatics system.[Associated Press · Associated Press · The Guardian]
- The Department of Health and Human Services stated that the visit was unrelated to vaccines and called assertions that Kennedy lied to Congress false and defamatory.[Associated Press · Associated Press · The Guardian]
- Samoa experienced a measles outbreak months after the visit that killed 83 people, mostly young children, following a pause in vaccinations caused by the deaths of two infants from improperly prepared doses.[Associated Press · Associated Press · The Guardian]
- Kennedy was confirmed by the Senate in a 52-48 vote.[Associated Press · Associated Press · The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- It is uncertain whether Congress will pursue formal inquiries or procedural remedies regarding Kennedy's testimony, as experts note such steps are unlikely under current Republican leadership.[Associated Press · Associated Press · The Guardian]
Sources
- Exclusive: RFK Jr. said a Samoa trip had nothing to do with vaccines. New documents refute thatAssociated Press
- Exclusive: RFK Jr. said a Samoa trip had nothing to do with vaccines. New documents refute thatAssociated Press
- RFK Jr lied in Senate confirmation hearings, newly revealed documents indicateThe Guardian - US