Two Democratic senators have opened an inquiry into Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s account of a 2019 trip to Samoa, asking Children’s Health Defense (CHD) for records connected to his travel, presidential campaign and confirmation process. The inquiry examines whether Kennedy’s testimony to Congress about the trip was accurate; it is not a finding of wrongdoing.

What the senators are asking for

Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland said in a letter dated Wednesday, Nov. 11, that they were beginning an investigation. According to the Associated Press, they requested CHD records about Kennedy’s 2019 Samoa trip, his 2024 presidential campaign and Senate confirmation process, along with communications between the group and federal officials since January 2025.

The request is directed to CHD, the nonprofit Kennedy formerly chaired. It does not establish that Kennedy broke the law, and the senators’ inquiry should be distinguished from any criminal investigation by the Justice Department.

Why the Samoa trip is under scrutiny

The senators’ inquiry follows reporting by the AP and The Guardian about correspondence from Kennedy’s 2019 visit. The AP reported that a letter Kennedy sent to Samoa’s prime minister on CHD letterhead referred to vaccines or vaccination eight times. During his 2025 confirmation hearings, Kennedy had described the trip as unrelated to vaccines.

The Department of Health and Human Services has rejected the allegation. In a response to the AP, HHS said the visit was unrelated to vaccines and called the claim that Kennedy lied to Congress false and defamatory. That response remains part of the record as the senators seek more documents.

What happens next

The records request could add material for congressional oversight after Democrats take control of the House and Senate in January. Wyden is expected to lead the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees HHS, while Alsobrooks serves on the Senate committee responsible for health policy. Whether the request produces additional evidence or hearings has not yet been established.

Readers can follow related developments in The Globuzz’s Politics coverage.

Sources

Associated Press, “Senators probe RFK Jr.’s Samoa trip testimony after AP and Guardian showed documents that refute it”; Associated Press, “Documents refute RFK Jr.’s Senate testimony about Samoa trip”; The Guardian, “Senator calls for criminal investigation of RFK Jr after Guardian report”.