The ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee has opened an inquiry into how recent federal decisions on flavored vaping products and kratom were made, requesting documents and written answers from the Department of Health and Human Services and from companies in both industries by the end of August.
Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon sent letters this week, including one dated August 3, 2026, to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Additional letters went to Reynolds American President and Chief Executive David Waterfield and to Botanic Tonics Chief Executive Jerry Ross. The letters allege a pattern of quid pro quos following large political donations from the tobacco and kratom industries.