RFK Jr. Defends HHS Workforce Cuts at Home Listening to, Faces Criticism Over Influence
WASHINGTON, D.C., Might 14, 2025 – Well being and Human Companies (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified earlier than the Home Appropriations Labor, Well being and Human Companies, Schooling, and Associated Businesses Subcommittee on Wednesday, defending the Trump administration’s drastic cuts to the HHS workforce as a part of a broader overhaul to streamline the $1.7 trillion company. The listening to, Kennedy’s first congressional look since his affirmation in February, targeted on the proposed 2025 HHS funds, which goals to make everlasting the discount of 20,000 workers positions—roughly 1 / 4 of the company’s 82,000 workers—whereas addressing continual illness, psychological well being, and meals security. Kennedy additionally confronted pointed questions on his vaccine skepticism and previous controversial statements.
Key Factors from the Listening to
- Protection of Cuts: Kennedy argued that the layoffs, initiated in April 2025, goal administrative redundancies, similar to overlapping communications, procurement, and HR departments, to get rid of “extraordinary waste” and refocus HHS on public well being outcomes. He cited a 38% funds enhance and 17% workers progress through the Biden administration, claiming these failed to enhance American well being, with continual illness and most cancers charges rising. “We intend to do extra with much less,” Kennedy said, emphasizing “compassion and duty” in delivering Medicare, Medicaid, and different providers.
- Reinstated Packages: Addressing backlash over cuts to vital packages, Kennedy acknowledged errors, stating 20% of the reductions have been “errors” and are being reinstated, together with the CDC’s lead publicity monitoring division. “Research that ought to not have been minimize have been minimize, and we’ve reinstated them,” he informed ABC Information, responding to issues from Milwaukee well being officers about disrupted lead disaster help.
- Priorities Outlined: Kennedy highlighted tackling the continual illness epidemic, psychological well being, dependancy, and diet as core objectives. He proposed equipping the FDA with extra meals security consultants, eliminating range, fairness, and inclusion funding, and strengthening cybersecurity. A brand new HHS company, the Administration for a Wholesome America, will consolidate workplaces like HRSA and SAMHSA to streamline operations.
- Criticism from Democrats: Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) accused Kennedy of “gutting life-saving work,” warning that cuts to tobacco regulation, lead monitoring, and black lung illness packages may result in deaths. Democrats, together with Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), challenged Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism, citing his refusal to unequivocally deny a vaccine-autism hyperlink throughout affirmation hearings. They expressed alarm over potential conflicts of curiosity, as Kennedy continues to earn authorized charges from a lawsuit towards Merck’s Gardasil vaccine.
- Vaccine Stance: Kennedy reiterated he’s “pro-safety,” not anti-vaccine, noting his youngsters are vaccinated and supporting polio and measles vaccines. Nevertheless, he dodged direct questions concerning the debunked autism-vaccine hyperlink, irritating lawmakers like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who displayed anti-vaccine merchandise from Kennedy’s former group, Youngsters’s Well being Protection.
- Republican Help: GOP members, together with caucus chairs Reps. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.) and Pete Classes (R-Texas), praised Kennedy’s imaginative and prescient to curb Massive Pharma affect and cut back meals components, aligning with Trump’s “Make America Wholesome Once more” agenda. Sen. Invoice Cassidy (R-La.), a key supporter, maintained a “productive relationship” with Kennedy, citing assurances on vaccine coverage stability.
Context and Influence
The cuts, a part of the Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE) initiative led by Elon Musk, have sparked widespread concern. Affected models embody seven minority well being workplaces, the Workplace of Minority Well being, and the Nationwide Institute on Minority Well being and Well being Disparities, with layoffs hitting most or all workers in some instances. Well being coverage consultants warn that shedding these groups may widen disparities in care entry and undo progress in addressing inequities, as knowledge assortment on disparities is vital for efficient interventions.
The April 1 layoffs, which included press officers and public well being communicators, drew criticism for undermining Kennedy’s promise of “radical transparency.” Fired workers included these dealing with drug remembers, analysis dissemination, and environmental toxin monitoring, elevating fears of weakened public well being infrastructure. Whereas some CDC and FDA positions have been reinstated after preliminary cuts, the continued discount of 10,000 extra jobs has alarmed public well being advocates.
Public and Political Sentiment
Posts on X mirror polarized views. Supporters like @Holden_Culotta laud Kennedy for exposing HHS inefficiencies, quoting him: “All that cash failed to enhance the well being of People.” Critics, similar to @SenMarkey, decry the cuts as prioritizing “billionaire tax breaks” over medical analysis and Medicaid, warning of hurt to public well being. Others, like @factpostnews, spotlight Kennedy’s admission of inaccurate cuts, questioning his oversight.
Important Perspective
Kennedy’s protection hinges on eliminating bureaucratic bloat, a purpose resonating with conservative requires fiscal restraint. Nevertheless, the haphazard execution—evidenced by mistaken cuts and reinstated packages—suggests poor planning, risking vital public well being capabilities. His vaccine stance, whereas softened, stays a flashpoint, as his ties to anti-vaccine teams and authorized conflicts elevate doubts about impartiality. The consolidation into the Administration for a Wholesome America may streamline operations however could disrupt established workflows if mismanaged. With HHS overseeing well being protection for 150 million People, Kennedy’s skill to stability effectivity with service supply will likely be intently watched.
Sources: ABC Information, Politico, CNBC, NPR, The New York Occasions, posts on X
