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Senate passes over then recommits resolution opposing recent federal public-health cuts
Summary
The Senate read SR 16, a resolution expressing concern about federal actions that could reduce public-health capacity, highlighted potential cuts to the CDC and WHO funding impacts, but members identified drafting issues and ultimately recommitted the resolution to the Committee on Health and Welfare.
SR 16, a Senate resolution opposing recent federal actions described by presenters as threats to public health, was read on the Senate floor and discussed briefly before senators decided to pass over the measure for drafting corrections and later recommit it to the Committee on Health and Welfare.
The resolution and concerns cited
The Senate read the resolution on the floor as "SR 16, senate resolution opposing recent federal actions that threaten public health and urging their swift reversal." The Senator from Chittenden Central, who presented the committee report, said the Health and Welfare Committee focused on how federal decisions could impact Vermont: "We believe this resolution represent[s] some of our concerns regarding our efforts to combat disease. Disease does not respect borders, so decisions that are made to cut funding to the World Health Organization may jeopardize the health of Vermonters as disease outbreaks spread from region to region," the presenter said.
The presenter listed examples of federal-program reductions discussed in committee, saying cuts to the Centers for Disease Control teams would eliminate positions that work on preventing injuries and tracking trends in mental health and substance use disorders, maternal and child health, and other areas. She also cited potential cuts at the Food and Drug Administration and a billion dollars in Department of Education cuts targeting mental-health services.
Floor action and outcome
After discussion and an attempted amendment, the presiding officer announced drafting issues with the resolution and the body passed over SR 16 at that time. Later in the session the Senate voted to recommit SR 16 to the Committee on Health and Welfare.
Ending
SR 16 remains alive but in committee; presenters said the measure was intended to raise awareness of federal policy impacts on Vermont public health and to record the Senate's concern pending any corrected draft.
