Big Pharma’s Grip on Congress: How Much Have RFK Jr.’s Critics Received?

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Big Pharma’s Grip on Congress: How Much Have RFK Jr.’s Critics Received?

A heated exchange between Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Senator Bernie Sanders over Big Pharma’s influence in politics has put a spotlight on the financial ties between major pharmaceutical companies and some of the loudest voices in Washington.

The debate has also added to the challenges surrounding the confirmation of Trump’s Health and Human Services (HHS) pick.

According to OpenSecrets, senators who have been most critical of Kennedy have received substantial campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies, both through PACs and employee donations, between 1990 and 2024.

Democratic Lawmakers’ Pharma Donations

🔸 Bernie Sanders – $1.9M
🔸 Elizabeth Warren – $1.2M
🔸 Ron Wyden – $1.2M
🔸 Raphael Warnock – $1.76M
🔸 Patty Murray – $1.6M
🔸 Chuck Schumer – $1.55M
🔸 Bill Cassidy – $1.2M

Republicans Also Benefit from Pharma Cash

🔸 Mitch McConnell – $2M
🔸 Mitt Romney – $3.3M
🔸 Richard Burr – $1.6M
🔸 The late John McCain – $1.4M
🔸 Roy Blunt, John Cornyn, Tim Scott – $1.1M each

A 2021 STAT study revealed that two-thirds of Congress received donations from pharmaceutical companies in 2020, with Pfizer alone contributing to 228 federal campaigns. By mid-2024, Big Pharma’s PAC war chest had ballooned to $37 million, according to BioSpace.

Beyond Donations: Insider Trading & Media Influence

The influence of Big Pharma extends beyond campaign contributions.

🔸 A 2021 Business Insider report found that 75 lawmakers personally profited from COVID-related stock trades while shaping pandemic policies.

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🔸 The broader healthcare industry—including pharmaceuticals, insurance, and medical device companies—has poured even more money into lawmakers’ pockets:

• $23M to Sanders
• $14.7M to Warnock
• $10.4M to Warren
• $6.7M to Wyden

Meanwhile, the media has also played a role in shaping the narrative. Dr. Leana Wen, the author of a Washington Post article critical of RFK Jr., has received $1.1M from pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, Bill Gates, a strong proponent of Big Pharma, has funneled $320M to various media outlets, according to MintPress News.

The Bigger Picture

While lawmakers continue to grill Kennedy over his stance on vaccines and pharmaceutical industry influence, the financial connections between Big Pharma and Washington remain clear. As the confirmation battle for Trump’s HHS nominee intensifies, the debate over corporate influence in public health policy is unlikely to fade anytime soon.

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