CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – While Chairing the Joint Fiscal Committee on Friday, September 17 and in subsequent interviews with the press, Representative Kenneth Weyler spread false information about the COVID vaccine and stated that he does not trust information provided by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. In response, members of House Democratic Leadership have written to Speaker Packard requesting that he remove Representative Weyler as Chair of the Finance and Joint Fiscal Committees. House Democratic Leader Renny Cushing (D-Hampton) released the following statement:
“Chair Weyler’s behavior at the Joint Fiscal Committee meeting and in subsequent interviews shows that he is not fit to lead House committees that control funding for state departments. Chair Weyler’s repeated assertion that he ‘does not trust’ the employees of state agencies or the information they provide significantly harms the House’s credibility and our efforts to work collaboratively across state government.
The Fiscal Committee cannot be responsibly led by someone who does not trust state agencies and bases his decision making on information he obtains from unidentified internet sites. Most concerning is that Representative Weyler continued to spread misinformation about DHHS and the COVID vaccine after Speaker Packard reminded him of ‘the importance of respecting information provided by our trusted health officials.’
Representative Weyler must be removed as Chair of the Joint Fiscal Committee. Allowing Representative Weyler to continue in his leadership position would be tacit acknowledgement that the Speaker agrees with his baseless assertions. I strongly encourage Speaker Packard to take swift, decisive action to remove Representative Weyler as Chair and restore the legislature’s credibility.”