Senate Dems demand Kennedy disclose details of Mar-a-Lago meetings with drug execs

Three Democratic senators want answers from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about his private meetings with drugmakers alongside President Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla.

In a letter to Kennedy sent Monday, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said he “owes the public an explanation” for what happened during the meetings, why he took part, “and whether they will affect your commitment to ensuring that Americans receive the relief they deserve from high drug prices.”

Kennedy is a longtime critic of drug companies and their perceived influence in setting government policy. He has promised to root out conflicts of interest at agencies, and last week launched a website for the public to see conflicts of interest from members of a Food and Drug Administration vaccine advisory committee.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, drug company CEOs and other health executives wrote checks for millions of dollars to attend at least six private dinners with President Trump in the “gold-covered, chandeliered dining room” at Mar-a-Lago. Kennedy reportedly attended several of them.

“The dinners may have served as an opportunity for Big Pharma to gain insider access to both you and President Trump,” the senators wrote, calling the meetings “PhRMA’s influence-peddling events with President Trump.”

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is the trade group representing the drug industry. The organization has been lobbying the administration to change or remove a law from the Biden administration that allows Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices.

“Big Pharma stands to profit immensely from President Trump’s abandonment of this and other policies that would bring drug prices down, such as patent reform,” the senators wrote. “PhRMA officials have continued to lobby President Trump to weaken drug price negotiations in the months since the dinners.”

In the letter, the senators asked for the specific dates of the meetings and whether drug company executives sought commitments on drug pricing and patent issues. They also asked Kennedy to disclose the amount of money that industry executives paid to attend each of the Trump-hosted dinners.

Topics

A Skeptical G.O.P. Senator Makes His Peace With Kennedy

After voting to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary, Senator Bill Cassidy, a doctor and Republican of Louisiana, is embracing the “gestalt” of Kennedy’s measles response.
The New York Times - 4d
Trump's FDA nominee faces Senate questions after agency layoffs and resignations

Dr. Marty Makary will answer questions from a Senate panel about his plans to lead the Food and Drug Administration
ABC News - 4d
Will Rubio meet with Zelenskyy in Saudi Arabia?

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Saudi Arabia to talk with Ukrainian officials about their demands for a potential peace deal with Russia. CBS News' Jennifer Jacobs reports.
CBS News - 4h
How to Disclose an Office Romance

When is it too late to reveal that you’re deep into an office romance?
The New York Times - 2d
Trump Kennedy Center board appointee pitches Mideast franchise, Potomac marina

One of President Trump's first-term appointees to the Kennedy Center board for the performing arts is floating big ideas to revamp the Washington, D.C., cultural mainstay, including a Jacqueline ...
The Hill - 2h
'Hamilton' cancels Kennedy Center run after Trump takeover

'Hamilton' creator Lin-Manuel Miranda said he doesn't want the show to play at what he called the 'Trump Kennedy Center.'
Los Angeles Times - 5d
Drug policy expert on fentanyl crisis and tariffs

Drug policy expert Sheila Vakharia joins to discuss the Trump administration's tariffs and their connection to fentanyl, the latest CDC data on overdose rates, and what's actually helping in the ...
CBS News - 8h
Delta Air Lines Lowers Profit Outlook on Weaker Demand

The airline lowered its financial forecast for the first quarter as economic anxiety hurts demand for tickets.
The New York Times - 56m
Jury is out on Rubio in Senate, as some lose faith

Some of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's former Democratic colleagues are already expressing regret over their votes in support of the former senator. But his boosters on both sides of the aisle ...
The Hill - 1d
Health Secretary to Meet With Major Food Brand Executives

The White House has urged cabinet members to meet with industry leaders.
Inc. - 23h
Pennsylvania Dem: 'Trump slump has already begun'

Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) said Sunday that the negative consequences of President Trump’s economic policies have already begun to take effect. “You know, the reality is, as the data from the ...
The Hill - 9h
Party drug MDMA may have protected survivors of Nova attack from trauma, study suggests

Neuroscientists in Israel find signs that the drug helped festival survivors in the attack and the aftermath.
BBC News - 3d
Delta Air Lines slashes earnings outlook on weaker U.S. demand, sending shares lower

Delta Air Lines cut its first-quarter revenue and profit forecasts, citing weaker consumer and corporate travel demand.
CNBC - 1h
Details on House GOP bill to avoid government shutdown

House Republicans are expected to vote on a stopgap measure to prevent a government shutdown this week. CBS News congressional correspondent Caitlin Huey-Burns reports.
CBS News - 7h
CFPB official details DOGE ‘chaos’ in overtaking agency

A top official at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) gave an inside account of the “chaos” and “confusion” that overtook the agency when the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) ...
The Hill - 2h
Rangers' Collapse Against Senators Is Costly In Heated Playoff Race

The New York Rangers had two points in the palm of their hands against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday afternoon, but squandered the opportunity after a late-game collapse, leading to a 4-3 ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
DOJ drug, organized crime task force chief fired

The head of a Justice Department task force dealing with organized crime and drug trafficking was fired by the Trump administration Friday, and he indicated he believes politics may have played a ...
The Hill - 8h
Novo Nordisk shares fall 6.3% after latest trial results for its next-generation weight loss drug

Shares of Novo Nordisk fell sharply on Monday, after the firm published results from the latest clinical trial of its CagriSema weight-loss drug.
CNBC - 10h
Florida Panthers' Aaron Ekblad suspended 20 games for violating NHL's performance-enhancing drug policy

In a statement, Ekblad said he'd taken an undisclosed substance while recovering from a recent injury and that it was 'a shock' when he failed his drug test.
Yahoo Sports - 31m
Rubio and Ukraine officials to meet in Saudi Arabia

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia this week. Meanwhile, Russia has stepped up its attacks on Ukraine. Holly Williams has the latest.
CBS News - 22h
House Dems still offer no promises to help GOP avoid shutdown

Politico - 3d
Should you open a home equity loan before the March Fed meeting?

With the Fed set to meet soon to determine interest rate policy, homeowners may be thinking of taking action now.
CBS News - 2h
Syrians Demand Better Protection Amid a Spate of Kidnappings

When the new government took over, it dismissed the Assad regime police and other forces, leaving a security vacuum. Now, many residents fear going out after dark.
The New York Times - 14h
'Gracias Gustavo': Details of the L.A. Phil's plans for Dudamel's final season

A golden era at the Los Angeles Philharmonic approaches its end as the organization announces its final season under Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel before he departs for the New York ...
Los Angeles Times - 4d
Trump’s Spy Chief Urged to Declassify Details of Secret Surveillance Program

Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, has long held anti-surveillance views. Now she oversees a key surveillance program she once tried to dismantle.
Wired - 4d
Do these 3 things before a job interview to stand out, says ex-Google exec: They ‘keep you top of mind’

Ex-Google executive Jenny Wood recommends jobseekers write a LinkedIn post about their prospective company within days of their interview.
CNBC - 9h
Trump economic adviser: US 'launched a drug war, not a trade war' with Mexico, Canada

Kevin Hassett, the Trump administration’s National Economic Council director, said the United States has not launched a trade war with Mexico and Canada but “a drug war.” Hassett joined ABC News’s ...
The Hill - 1d
Musk, Rubio clashed in front of Trump during Cabinet meeting: Sources

During a charged Cabinet meeting Thursday at the White House, Elon Musk clashed with top Cabinet officials, sources told ABC News
ABC News - 2d
Rubio and Trump Officials Clash With Elon Musk in an Explosive Meeting

Simmering anger at the billionaire’s unchecked power spilled out in a remarkable Cabinet Room meeting. The president quickly moved to rein in Mr. Musk.
The New York Times - 2d
US, Ukrainian officials to meet for 1st time since Oval Office clash

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet with Ukrainian counterparts this week as President Donald Trump pressures Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire. NBC’s Keir Simmons reports for TODAY.
NBC News - 11h
Zelenskyy flying to Riyadh to meet crown prince as Russia steps up attacks

Ukrainian president to meet Mohammed bin Salman but will not be at Saudi-led talks with US officials later this week. Europe live – latest updates Volodymyr Zelenskyy is flying to Saudi Arabia ...
The Guardian - 8h
Kennedy Wants to Cure Chronic Disease. Here’s What He’s Up Against.

Ending chronic disease requires major social change.
The New York Times - 1d
Without Offering Proof, Kennedy Links Measles Outbreak to Poor Diet and Health

In a recent interview, the health secretary also suggested that the measles vaccine had harmed children in West Texas, center of an outbreak.
The New York Times - 1h
Patriots reach 2-year deal with QB Josh Dobbs to back up Drake Maye: Report

The Patriots have their backup quarterback. Josh Dobbs reached a two-year deal with New England on Monday afternoon, his agent confirmed. The terms were not disclosed.
Yahoo Sports - 1h
Senators Press Marty Makary on Abortion Pills and Vaccines

At a hearing, Dr. Marty Makary, the nominee for F.D.A. commissioner, fielded questions focused on whether he would review or reopen certain policy areas.
The New York Times - 4d
Senate Democrats' impending choice: Shutdown or surrender

House Democrats say they won't vote for the House GOP's spending plan. Democrats across the Capitol aren't so sure.
Politico - 3d
Florida teen kidnapped and possibly dismembered after meeting man on social media, police say

A Florida teenager was kidnapped and possibly dismembered after meeting up with a man she met through a social media application last month.
NBC News - 2d
DOJ Reinforces Demand to Break Up Google’s Search Monopoly

In a court filing on Friday, the government signaled a continuation of tough regulatory pressure on the search giant.
The New York Times - 2d
Texas cities run short of MMR vaccine as measles outbreak drives demand

Pharmacies are struggling with supplies as fatal outbreak expands and health secretary sows disinformation. As measles cases continue to grow in Texas and New Mexico, with a second death, an ...
The Guardian - 2d