Sen. Luján Questions RFK Jr. on Autism Study, Vaccine Data Access

Scrutiny of Autism Study and Personnel

• 🎯 Senator Luján questioned Secretary Kennedy about a forthcoming study claiming to reveal the cause of autism, expressing concern about its timing and the hiring of David Geyer.
• 🔍 The Senator highlighted that Geyer, listed as a senior data analyst, was previously charged for practicing medicine without a license, a fact Kennedy initially downplayed.
• ⚠️ Luján raised doubts about Kennedy's understanding of his own team, pointing out Geyer's past legal issues and his role in accessing sensitive vaccine safety data.

Vaccine Safety Data Link (VSD) Access

• 🔑 Kennedy stated that Geyer has access to the Vaccine Safety Data Link (VSD), the largest repository for vaccine information, which had been withheld from them for seven months.
• 🧐 The Senator pressed on whether Geyer was participating in the study, with Kennedy asserting Geyer is the only outsider to have seen the VSD since Congress ordered the CDC to open it in 2002.
• 🗣️ A tense exchange occurred regarding the transparency of the study's protocols, with Kennedy initially deflecting and the Senator pushing for commitments.

Transparency and Committee Demands

• 📜 Senator Luján requested a commitment from Secretary Kennedy to share the autism study's protocols with Congress and the public.
• 🚫 Kennedy refused to commit to providing the protocols by the end of the week, stating they are publicly available and published with the study.
• 🤝 The Senator proposed a subpoena if the protocols were not shared, a request Kennedy explicitly rejected.

Senator's Closing Remarks

• 😔 Luján expressed disappointment with Kennedy's performance during the hearing, stating it was a "failure" and that he did not believe Kennedy deserved a symbolic starfish pin.
• 🙏 He concluded by stating he would pray for Secretary Kennedy and hoped for better performance in the future.