Congresswoman McClain Delaney Joins Senator Alsobrooks, Maryland Democratic Delegation in Pushing Sec. Kennedy for Answers on Disastrous Mass Layoffs

Congresswoman McClain Delaney Joins Senator Alsobrooks, Maryland Democratic Delegation in Pushing Sec. Kennedy for Answers on Disastrous Mass Layoffs

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman April McClain Delaney joined Senator Angela Alsobrooks and the Maryland Democratic Delegation - U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representatives Steny Hoyer, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, Sarah Elfreth, and Johnny Olszewski (all D-Md.) in expressing outrage and demanding answers regarding the mass terminations of civil servants at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Senator Alsobrooks and her colleagues questioned the extent of the devastation and consequential impacts these mass layoffs will have on the state and country.

"This reckless reduction in force and Department reorganization comes at a time when measles is spreading in communities across the country, avian flu is proliferating throughout our livestock populations, families are experiencing a childcare availability and affordability crisis, and cities across the country are still reeling from opioid and fentanyl overdoses. Instead of showing leadership on these concurrent emergencies and fulfilling the Department's mission, this Administration has crippled the very teams and entire divisions that combat public health challenges, prevent disparities, and ensure that our families and children are safe," the lawmakers wrote.

"Maryland has already been hard hit by attacks to NIH research…This medical research funds new life-saving cures for Maryland patients - from our newborns to our seniors, from children battling rare cancers to our servicemembers injured in battle. It funds thousands of Maryland jobs, and to arbitrarily cut it threatens Maryland's health, safety, and economy. Slashing research funding will ultimately harm patients and even cost lives," continued the lawmakers.

The lawmakers are requesting Secretary Kennedy meet with them to answer these questions by May 1, 2025.

You can read the full letter to Secretary Kennedy here.