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Rep. Krishnamoorthi condemns HHS layoffs
He warned that these cuts would have severe consequences for public health, medical research, and childcare services
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Malvika Choudhary - Wed, 02, Apr 2025
- 16:45 EDT
- 220
Raja Krishnamoorthi/ HHS / File Photo/ Wikipedia
Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi strongly condemned the Trump administration’s sweeping cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), calling it a “dangerous” move.
"The Trump administration's decision to gut the Department of Health and Human Services is not just irresponsible—it's dangerous," Krishnamoorthi stated. The cuts involve laying off approximately 10,000 employees and closing key public service programs.
Also Read: Trump begins mass layoffs at FDA, CDC, other US health agencies
"By eliminating 10,000 workers, closing critical Head Start offices in cities like Chicago, and slashing the agencies responsible for ensuring the safety of food, drugs, and tobacco products, Donald Trump is jeopardizing the health and wellbeing of countless Illinois families,” the lawmaker said.
The HHS cuts are part of a broader effort by the administration to reduce the federal workforce. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that the restructuring aims to save $1.8 billion annually and reduce inefficiency.
Krishnamoorthi warned that these cuts would have severe consequences for public health, medical research, and childcare services. "Seniors will suffer from understaffed care programs, families will face rising childcare costs, and we will all lose our ability to fight disease with life-saving medical breakthroughs thanks to devastating research cuts," he said.
As ranking member of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services, Krishnamoorthi and fellow Oversight Democrats are demanding further details on the administration’s actions, citing concerns about the impact on public health infrastructure and disease prevention efforts.
As the cuts come amid ongoing concerns about avian influenza outbreaks, which have infected nearly 70 Americans and resulted in at least one death, the lawmakers in a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. questioned the administration's strategy in addressing the crisis.
RFK Jr. recently said we should let Bird Flu run rampant through the US so we can identify the birds that are immune to it.
— Oversight Committee Democrats (@OversightDems) April 1, 2025
In the meantime, Americans could get sick or die. It’s unacceptable. @CongressmanRaja and Oversight Dems are demanding more details. pic.twitter.com/y6hJ3YTbJy
They raised concerns about reports suggesting a plan to allow the virus to spread unchecked in an attempt to build natural immunity, an approach deemed "dangerous and reckless" by public health experts.
"The conflicting plans announced by the federal agencies tasked with stopping the spread of avian flu call into question the Trump administration's broader strategy to tackle this epidemic and its consequences for the American people," the lawmakers wrote.
Krishnamoorthi called for immediate action to reverse the cuts and restore critical health programs. "I urge every American who values these essential services to join me in demanding the immediate reversal of these harmful actions," he said. "I will not stop fighting until these critical programs are restored and the well-being of Illinoisans and all Americans is prioritized."
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