Fiery Exchange Erupts Over NIH Funding Cuts: DeLauro Grills Kennedy Jr.

A heated exchange took place during a recent congressional hearing between Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The focus of the debate was on proposed budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Rep. DeLauro expressed strong concerns about the cuts, questioning Kennedy Jr.'s plan for previously appropriated funds. "Are you freezing and withholding funding that Congress appropriated in 2025 for life-saving NIH research?" she demanded. Kennedy Jr. responded, "We are not withholding any funding for life-saving research." However, DeLauro pointed out that the proposed cuts amount to $18 billion or even $20 billion, directly contradicting Kennedy Jr.'s assertion. The exchange highlights the ongoing debate about budget priorities and the future of medical research in the United States. The video concludes with Rep. DeLauro stating, "You have an obligation to carry out the law and implement what Congress has done." This emphasizes the legal and ethical implications of the proposed cuts.