Committee Democrats Demand Chairman Walberg Hold HHS Secretary Accountable

Committee Democrats Demand Chairman Walberg Hold HHS Secretary Accountable

WASHINGTON - All Committee Democrats urged Chairman Tim Walberg (MI-05) to hold an oversight hearing with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

To date, Secretary Kennedy has not appeared before the Committee. The Members asserted that budget oversight hearings are critical to the Committee's understanding of the administration's priorities and make clear that Congressional oversight hearings provide transparency and accountability for budget decisions and actions taken by the Trump Administration that affect the health and safety of millions of Americans.

"The annual budget oversight hearing is a longstanding and essential component of the Committee's responsibility to review federal spending, assess program performance, and ensure accountability in the programs within our jurisdiction," wrote the Members. "Unfortunately, to date, and despite our repeated urging, our Members have had no such opportunity to hear from Secretary Kennedy on the various actions taken over the past year that impact the lives of all of our constituents."

"Holding this hearing in a timely manner will allow Members on both sides of the aisle to evaluate the Administration's priorities and consider their implications for children, students, workers, and families across the country," continued the Members.

In the 119^th Congress, this is the third time that Committee Democrats, led by Ranking Member Scott, have formally asked Chairman Walberg hold a budget oversight hearing with Secretary Kennedy. In January, Democrats also demanded accountability and a reversal of HHS' decision to illegally freeze funding for critical programs in Democratic-led states.

The letter was sent by Representatives Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Mark Takano (CA-39), Alma S. Adams (NC-12), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Haley M. Stevens (MI-11), Greg Casar (TX-35), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), John W. Mannion (NY-22), and Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07).

The full text of the letter can be found here.

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