DeGette Statement on RFK Jr.’s Assault on Public Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) released the following statement after across-the-board cuts were announced throughout the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Secretary Kennedy and DOGE’s illegal assault on public health is going to harm the American people, weaken American leadership, and destroy our ability to combat diseases and research groundbreaking cures and treatments. He is circumventing Congressional authority and putting culture wars over science. His actions are going to harm our national biosecurity, stop cures for cancer, and leave everyday Americans unable to access the care they need.

“Thanks to the world-class research conducted at and supported by the NIH, we have new treatments for sickle cell disease and spinal muscular atrophy. We are on the cusp of a breakthrough in type 1 diabetes that could cure the disease. Scientists have promising early results from an mRNA therapeutic vaccine that might revolutionize treatment for pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest cancers. Already this administration has been slashing research that supports work like this. These cuts will devastate biomedical research and delay the cures that millions of patients are desperately waiting for.

“These illegal attacks on Americans’ public health must stop. As the top Democrat on the Health Subcommittee, I reiterate my demand for a meeting with Secretary Kennedy to address my immense concerns with these actions.”

Following Secretary Kennedy’s confirmation, Ranking Member DeGette led the Health Subcommittee Democrats in calling for a meeting with Secretary Kennedy. He never responded to that request.

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