RFK Jr. Refutes Claims of Research Funding Cuts Amid Staff Reductions

Under the Trump administration, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has frozen or eliminated billions in scientific research funding and aimed to cut approximately 20,000 agency positions. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. downplayed these impacts, misleadingly asserting that there were no reductions in "life-saving" research or "working scientists." During congressional hearings, concerns arose over proposed cuts for the upcoming fiscal year and existing reductions. Notably, President Trump’s budget proposes a $33 billion funding decrease for HHS, sparking inquiries from lawmakers. Despite Kennedy's claims that layoffs affected non-working scientists, documentation reveals significant cuts to vital research areas, including COVID-19 and cancer studies, ultimately undermining the scientific community's capacity to advance essential health initiatives.