As Kennedy tours West, frustrated Democrats demand meeting

Source: Roll Call

Posted April 9, 2025 at 2:57pm


At about 9 a.m. Wednesday, Rep. Diana DeGette of Colorado led a group of fellow Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee into the Department of Health and Human Services headquarters to demand a meeting with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about the massive staff cuts that began last week. About 30 minutes later, they reappeared outside — unsuccessful.

“They had us stand in the lobby and wait, and no response whatsoever from the secretary’s office was forthcoming,” said DeGette, ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. “Nobody came down to talk to us and nobody told us if the secretary could meet with us.”

Kennedy wasn’t in Washington on Wednesday. On his agenda was a visit with Navajo Nation leadership and a trip to a charter school as part of his tour this week through the southwest to tout his “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. While Kennedy’s staff are set to meet with bipartisan staff from the Energy and Commerce Committee on Friday at 4 p.m., Democrats have said that it isn’t sufficient.

They want to hear from Kennedy himself. Specifically, they want an in-person meeting with Kennedy as soon as possible. They also want Kennedy to testify in front of the Energy and Commerce Committee to answer questions on the cuts.

Read more: https://rollcall.com/2025/04/09/as-kennedy-tours-west-frustrated-democrats-demand-meeting/