Overview

• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee to defend a proposed 26% reduction in discretionary funding for the department.
• The budget proposal includes an $18 billion cut to the National Institutes of Health, the elimination of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and significant workforce reductions.
• Sen. Patty Murray and Kennedy clashed over withheld funding for child care grants, with Kennedy admitting the decision was made by his department.
• Republican and Democratic lawmakers expressed alarm over cuts to biomedical research, rare-disease grants, and occupational safety programs, with some Republicans calling for reinstating key staff.
• Kennedy’s refusal to address vaccine safety concerns and his combative exchanges with lawmakers continue to draw scrutiny over his leadership and policy decisions.