A group of Senate Democrats allege that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is using taxpayer dollars to focus on "vanity projects" – like his new podcast and cooking show – rather than addressing Americans' health concerns, in a new letter sent to Kennedy.
"We are concerned that, instead of addressing the struggles that Americans face today in trying to keep their families safe and healthy, you are using taxpayer dollars to promote your personal brand," Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer. Margaret Wood Hassan, Angela Alsobrooks, Ron Wyden, Mark Warner and Ben Ray Luján wrote in the Sept. 10 letter obtained by USA TODAY.
Kennedy, the Trump administration's top health official, is the leading figure in the "Make America Healthy
Again" movement. In April, he launched "The Secretary Kennedy Podcast," which to date has 11 episodes in which Kennedy has spoken with guests about topics like psychedelic medicine, strength and health habits, American farmers and the food system. His newer project, "The Real Food Show," launched in July, with three episodes to date, in which Kennedy hosts a cooking show.
The Democrats asked Kennedy to respond to a list of questions, including how much time he has spent on his shows, how many federal employees and staffing hours are dedicated to them and what the total budget and expenditures have been.
"You appear to be directing taxpayer dollars and official federal resources to produce vanity projects," the senators say.
They suggest that Kennedy is prioritizing his podcast and cooking show, while "the United States has faced life-threatening public health challenges that you have failed to adequately address," going on to outline the measles outbreak and ongoing foodborne illnesses such as the cyclospora and salmonella outbreaks.
Kennedy and the Department of Health and Human Services did not respond for comment before publication of this article.
"On a bipartisan basis, Congress has provided your Department with targeted resources to fight outbreaks of disease," the Democrats wrote. The letter later continues, "However, it appears that you are not using this Office or comparable Department resources to address ongoing public health crises."
The Democrats also allege that the measles outbreak is "a predictable consequence of your longstanding crusade against vaccines." USA TODAY has reported that despite Kennedy's well-known vaccine skepticism, in August, he recommended that Americans get the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
The senators additionally ask Kennedy to respond to questions about how much time and resources both he and the department have spent on addressing public health concerns and hiring staff with expertise in infectious diseases, among other related topics.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Vanity projects': Dems say RFK Jr. focused on his shows, not measles
