Rep. DeLauro Accuses HHS Secretary RFK Jr. of Illegally Impounding NIH Funds

Allegations of Illegal Funding Impoundment

• 🎯 Rep. Rosa DeLauro confronted HHS Secretary RFK Jr. regarding the alleged illegal impoundment of billions of dollars in congressionally appropriated funds for NIH research.
• ⚠️ DeLauro stated that the administration is withholding at least $2.7 billion in NIH funding midway through 2025, with projections of further cuts.
• ⚖️ She asserted that the Secretary and the administration do not have the authority to impound these funds or to reorganize the NIH by eliminating or creating agencies, as this power rests with Congress.

Concerns Over Public Health Initiatives

• 💉 DeLauro expressed horror that the Secretary refuses to encourage families to vaccinate their children against diseases like measles, chickenpox, and polio.
• 💔 She highlighted the tragedy of two children dying needlessly from measles and the broader public health implications of vaccine hesitancy.
• 🗣️ She questioned why Republicans have access to specific offices like NIOSH for issues such as lead poisoning and tobacco prevention, while Democrats seemingly do not have a clear avenue for similar concerns.

NIH's Scientific Contributions and Future Funding

• 🔬 DeLauro defended the NIH's track record of high-profile successes, including the human genome project, immunotherapy, CRISPR gene editing, sickle cell cures, and various vaccines (HPV, hepatitis, mRNA, COVID-19).
• 📉 She criticized the proposal to cut NIH funding by $20 billion in 2026, arguing that such reductions would jeopardize lives and hinder critical research.
• 💰 She noted that the Office of Research at NIH has limited spending capacity and that Congress could provide significantly more funding if desired.

Broader HHS Responsibilities and Past Tragedies

• 🏥 DeLauro emphasized that HHS is responsible for saving lives and highlighted concerns about potential cuts to programs affecting children, disabled individuals, low-wage workers, and seniors, particularly regarding Medicaid.
• 😢 She recalled the tragedy of family separations at the border during the Trump administration, noting that 1,300 children remain unaccounted for, and urged efforts to reunite them with their parents.
• 🤝 She appealed to the Secretary to reconsider the proposed cuts and to advocate against them, emphasizing the critical role of HHS in public well-being.