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Finance Committee presses HHS nominees on agency reorganization, staff cuts and program disruptions
Summary
Nominees for deputy HHS secretary Jim O'Neil and congressional liaison Gary Andres defended their records and gave conditional commitments to correct mistakes as senators pressed them about recent reorganization-related staff reductions and paused programs at HHS and CDC.
Jim O'Neil and Gary Andres faced sustained questions from the Senate Finance Committee on whether the Department of Health and Human Services' reorganization and reductions in force have impaired essential public-health functions.
Committee members led by Ranking Member Ron Wyden and several Democrats said recent personnel cuts have left gaps in programs from CDC research to local assistance programs. Senators pressed both nominees on whether they would restore disrupted programs and provide timely responses to congressional oversight requests.
The exchange mattered because HHS runs programs that serve seniors, children, emergency responders and public-health surveillance; senators warned that staffing decisions and paused programs risk public-health consequences and reduce congressional oversight.
Wyden cited reported department losses and program impacts as he introduced the hearing and questioned the nominees' alignment with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s approach. Wyden said, "Over the past several weeks, Health and Human Services has lost…
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