Pallone and DeGette Call on Congressional Republicans to Help Stop Disastrous HHS Cuts

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO) released the following joint statement on reports that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. intends to illegally and without congressional authorization cut an additional 10,000 jobs at the Department of Health and Human Services:  

“These massive layoffs will have a devastating impact on our nation’s health care system and the health of the American people. The Trump Administration will be firing the people who make sure Medicare and Medicaid are there for our seniors and people with disabilities, conduct medical research for new lifesaving cancer treatments, ensure our food is safe to eat, and so much more. 

“With ongoing measles and bird flu outbreaks, firing the people on the ground working to prevent the spread and further loss of life will have devastating consequences for the American people and Republicans in Congress know it. It’s beyond time for Republicans in Congress to hold this Administration accountable for the consequences of these short-sighted actions. Republicans have a responsibility to help us stop these catastrophic cuts from going into effect.  

“We call on Chairman Guthrie to hold a hearing on these cuts immediately. There is zero sense in having a routine hearing on user fees next week before understanding the Trump administration’s plan to gut the FDA by cutting 3,500 public servants.”

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