Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) is pressuring federal health agencies to release unredacted records about COVID-19 vaccine safety or face subpoenas. As the incoming chair of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Johnson has given the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) until December 3 to comply.
Johnson’s letter accused these agencies of withholding critical information about vaccine risks, particularly myocarditis. He pointed to a 2021 draft Health Alert Network (HAN) message intended to warn clinicians about myocarditis risks that was reportedly suppressed after internal deliberations.
“For too long, these agencies have ignored oversight efforts,” Johnson said. He demanded the unredacted version of the alert and related communications, warning that continued resistance would be met with subpoenas.
The senator also criticized the Biden administration for what he described as a pattern of obstructing Congressional oversight. He argued that the agencies’ failure to provide full transparency has damaged public trust in their decisions.
Johnson has been a vocal advocate for accountability regarding pandemic-related decisions. His new role as chair of the investigative subcommittee is expected to increase scrutiny of federal health agencies.
This effort represents a continuation of Johnson’s years-long campaign to uncover withheld information on vaccine safety, development, and efficacy.
