Ranking Member Scott Demands Explanation Over Concerns of HHS Providing Inaccurate Information in Litigation

Ranking Member Scott Demands Explanation Over Concerns of HHS Providing Inaccurate Information in Litigation

WASHINGTON- Today, Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, followed up with Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over concerns that HHS has refused to cooperate with the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO). Specifically, GAO's investigation into the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) access to private and sensitive systems. Moreover, Ranking Member Scott reiterated his concerns that, per the Department's own assertion, it has potentially provided false information in litigation.

Last year, public reports exposed that DOGE gained access to the IT system that controls government payments and infiltrated systems across HHS and other federal agencies. In February of 2025, Ranking Member Scott asked GAO to investigate the IT systems at HHS, report on DOGE's activities in these systems, analyze the legality of DOGE's interventions, and determine potential consequences of DOGE's actions.

However, HHS has repeatedly refused to cooperate with GAO's investigation. Even more concerning, one reason given for the unwillingness to cooperate was out of concern about 'potential discrepancies between what is produced in litigation and provided to GAO.'

"Shortly prior to your appearance before the Committee on Education and Workforce on April 17, 2026, to discuss the policies and priorities of the Department, my staff was informed that HHS' Office of General Counsel (OGC) had denied GAO's request for a standard observational walkthrough of the Department's systems for verification purposes," wrote Ranking Member Scott. "I am deeply concerned not only by HHS's failure to comply with GAO's requests, but also the possibility that the Department is providing false or inaccurate information in litigation."

During an April 17, 2026 HHS budget oversight hearing, Ranking Member Scott asked Secretary Kennedy to commit to cooperating with the GAO investigation, to which Secretary Kennedy agreed. In the letter, Ranking Member Scott requested details on HHS's compliance with GAO and a written explanation for its initial noncompliance.

To read the full letter, click here.

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