RFK Jr. faces lawmakers on HHS budget amid layoffs
Share this @internewscast.com


() Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is testifying before both chambers of Congress on Wednesday and is expected to face questions from lawmakers over his first months leading the agency.

Since his confirmation as the nation’s top health official, Kennedy has fired thousands of workers, consolidated the nation’s health infrastructure, canceled scientific funding grants and sent mixed messages on the measles outbreak.

Kennedy appeared before the House Appropriations subcommittee Wednesday morning and is scheduled to speak at the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee at 1:30 p.m. EDT.

The explicit purpose of both meetings is to discuss the Trump administration’s proposed budget and a $500 million request from the Department of Health and Human Services to boost Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.

President Donald Trump’s budget proposal also outlines cuts to maternal health, infectious disease prevention and preschool programs.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., railed against the administration’s proposed $33 billion cuts to the department in her opening remarks, saying Americans would “die of needless and preventable deaths,” if the proposal were adopted.

DeLauro also warned that “by promoting quackery, we are endangering the health of the American people with pseudoscience, fear-mongering and misinformation.”

Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., told Kennedy that Congress wants to partner with him and that “we share your goal to ‘Make America Healthy Again,’ and we look forward this morning to your testimony.”

Kennedy said he intends to make “the Trump HHS not just the most effective, but also the most compassionate in U.S. history.”

Kennedy said the budget would consolidate programs on addiction and mental health, promote healthy nutrition and activity habits and equip the FDA to expand its food safety efforts.

He said HHS plans on stepping away from research that focuses on “radical gender ideology.”

The hearings follow months of anticipation. Kennedy was expected to appear before the Senate committee in April amid massive changes in HHS.

Questioning is expected to shift from finances to Kennedy’s departmental shake-up and controversial focuses on autism, food dyes and fluoride, among other topics.

Kennedy plans to “share his vision on how HHS’ transformation will improve health outcomes, eliminate redundancies to save the American taxpayer, and streamline operations to improve efficiency and service,” HHS said in a statement to the Associated Press.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Big Time Rush Set to Perform in Champaign

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A renowned boy band is heading to Champaign,…

Vermilion County Welcomes New Coordinator to Lead ‘Toys for Tots’ Holiday Efforts

VERMILION COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — As the holiday season approaches, Vermilion County’s…

American Airlines Pilots Mistake Misunderstanding for Cockpit Security Threat

In a surprising incident on Monday, a flight destined for Los Angeles…

Jack Nicklaus Triumphs: Legendary Golfer Secures $50M Victory in Defamation Battle Against Ex-Business Partners

MIAMI (AP) — Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus has emerged victorious in a…

Tennessee Senator Advocates for AI Regulations Amid Rising Use of Chatbots by Children for Social Interaction

In today’s world, children are interacting not just with their peers from…

Revolutionary Champaign Clinic Addresses Common Yet Overlooked Disorders Affecting Millions

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A groundbreaking clinic in Central Illinois is now…

Florida Breaks Python Removal Record with Innovative New Partnership

In Tallahassee, Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis recently took the stage alongside an…

Israel Confirms Identities of Additional Hostage Victims Amid Vance’s Diplomatic Mission to Meet Netanyahu

TEL AVIV – In a solemn update, Israeli authorities have confirmed the…

Exposing the Chaos: Insider Revelations Unveil the Shocking Reality of Local Nursing Home

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. — A group of both former and current staff…

United Way Appoints Dynamic New Leader to Propel Growth in Liberty and Long County

A tide of transformation is sweeping through Liberty and Long Counties as…

Israel Confirms Identities of Two Hostages as U.S. Diplomat Vance Readies for Netanyahu Meeting

In Tel Aviv, Israel, a significant development unfolded as the office of…

Discover Heritage Day at the Historic Bogart/Bowman Cabin in Unicoi

UNICOI, Tenn. (WJHL) – This Saturday, immerse yourself in Appalachian culture amidst…