The Washington, D.C. area Democrats are urging Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reinstate employees who were fired from HHS and the National Institute of Health.
The initiative, led by Maryland Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin, claimed that there was a “illegal mass firing” of probationary staff at HHS, which is “undermining the search” for treatments for some of the country’s most serious illnesses.
“Without immediate action, the harmful consequences of this outrageous purse will be with us for decades to come as the fired employees are forced to find new careers outside their chosen field: medical research for public good,” the lawmakers said.
DOGE officials have requested access to several federal agencies, including HHS and its other branches. Elon Musk, DOGE’s CEO, stated last month that he believes Medicare payment systems are where “big money fraud” occurs.
There are major concerns that DOGE will gain access to the department’s information and cut important programs. Public health experts warn of a massive brain drain that could have disastrous consequences as thousands are laid off.
In their letter, lawmakers emphasized the experiences of their constituents who had been fired.
“We have heard from patients and their loved ones who are heartbroken and angry that, under your leadership, the United States is deliberately giving up its role as the world’s engine of medical innovation,” they told us.
The Democrats claimed that many of those fired were among the “best and brightest” young scientists working to improve public health in the country.
“In short, these losses to medical research will be felt for decades to come if you do not act quickly to change course,” the scientists said.
Nine other D.C.-area Democrats signed the letter, including Washington, D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton; Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (Md.); Virginia Reps. Gerry Connolly, Eugene Vindman, Suhas Subramanyam, and Don Beyer; and Maryland Reps. April McClain Delaney, Glenn Ivey, and Kweisi Mfume.
