Rep. Lois Frankel Questions RFK Jr. on HHS Budget Cuts and Firings

Concerns Over HHS Leadership and Budget

• 🎯 Rep. Lois Frankel expresses deep wariness of funding the current administration's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) due to a perceived disregard for science and Congress's appropriating role.
• tornado Chaos and destruction are compared to a tornado hitting a community, with significant impacts on medical research, clinical trials, and preventative health programs.
• ✂️ Slashing of programs has particularly alarmed Frankel, given Florida's large senior population, impacting research for conditions like Alzheimer's, cancer, and heart disease.

Firings and Administrative Decisions

• 🧑‍🔬 Thousands of scientists and professionals have been fired, which Frankel deems unconscionable and dumb, especially when contrasted with tax breaks for the wealthy.
• ❓ Frankel questions whether any cuts or firings occurred before Secretary F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in, to which he responded with uncertainty.
• 🤝 The Secretary stated that no members of Congress or the committee were consulted before the cuts were made, though he maintained close contact with Bill Cassidy.

Employee Status and Research Cost Caps

• 🚶 Approximately 10,000 employees have left HHS, with another 10,000 on administrative leave awaiting potential termination in June.
• 🚫 Those on administrative leave are currently being paid but are not allowed to work, leading to a situation where they are paid to do nothing.
• 💰 The decision for a 15% indirect research cost cap is discussed, with the Secretary noting it is slightly above industry standards set by foundations like the Gates and Rockefeller Foundations.

Trust and Budgetary Control

• ✅ Frankel seeks assurance that if Congress appropriates funds, the HHS will spend it as directed by law.
• ⚖️ The Secretary affirms that the department is legally required to spend funds according to congressional direction.