California and 19 other states have filed a lawsuit against Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., challenging his recent restructuring of the agency. The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Rhode Island, claims that the cuts violate federal law and the U.S. Constitution. The states argue that the restructuring dismantled vital programs and left the agency unable to perform its duties.
According to Fierce Biotech, the lawsuit states that Kennedy’s directive, issued on March 27, led to the termination of 10,000 employees and the consolidation of 28 agencies into 15. These cuts are part of the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which Kennedy claims will streamline operations and reduce redundancies. However, the states argue that the cuts have left critical offices unable to function, with laboratories halting disease testing and programs for early childhood learning and cancer monitoring facing uncertainty.
As reported by STAT News, New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is leading the lawsuit, called the restructuring a “sweeping and unlawful assault” that endangers lives. The lawsuit seeks to halt the mass firings and reverse the reorganization, claiming it violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the Appropriations Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The Center Square notes that the lawsuit also highlights the impact on federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration. The plaintiffs argue that the cuts have already led to missed vaccine deadlines and the suspension of critical testing programs.
The states are seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to stop the changes at HHS, emphasizing the need for a careful and legal approach to restructuring such a vital department.
Recent Comments