E&C Democrats Call on Guthrie to Haul in Kennedy for a Hearing on Illegal Layoffs and Reorganization
Bipartisan Senate HELP Leaders Have Already Requested a Hearing with Secretary Kennedy – Democrats Urge House Republicans to Follow Suit and Schedule a Hearing Immediately Following Guthrie’s Commitment Yesterday
Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO) wrote to Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) today to urge him to follow through on his commitment to hold a hearing with Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on his illegal reorganization of the agency and firing of thousands of public servants.
“We call on you to fulfill this responsibility of Congress and of the Energy and Commerce Committee to exercise its oversight and hold hearings on the Trump Administration’s unauthorized restructuring of HHS and termination of tens of thousands of civil servants,” Pallone and DeGette wrote. “We believe this is of utmost importance and request you hold a hearing immediately with Secretary Kennedy to give him the opportunity to explain his plan to Congress, which holds the sole authority to undertake such a vast reorganization of HHS.”
At yesterday’s Health Subcommittee hearing, Chairman Guthrie said in reference to the Trump Administration’s actions, “We have to have the proper oversight to make sure the things that Congress directs the Administration is in place.” He went on to say, “it is also our responsibility…to make sure that our mission’s accomplished and have the proper oversight to do that.”
Last week, Kennedy announced plans for a massive and illegal restructuring of HHS as well as plans to fire an additional 10,000 public servants on top of the 10,000 people who have already left the agency. This week, layoff notices went out to thousands of employees in the middle of the night, many of which arrived at work not knowing they had been terminated until they attempted to scan their badge to enter the office for the day and were denied entry.
“Moving forward, it is essential that the Committee conduct oversight of recent actions by HHS Secretary Kennedy and the Trump Administration to ensure we are maintaining and vigorously exercising Congress’ Article I powers,” the Democratic Committee leaders concluded.
Read Democrats full letter HERE.
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