Senate Debates 25% HHS Budget Cut With Sharp Partisan Exchanges

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended a proposed 2026 budget that includes over a 25% cut to HHS spending, emphasizing increased efficiency and reduced taxpayer costs despite bipartisan concerns. During Senate hearings, Democrats, led by Senator Tammy Baldwin, criticized the reductions, particularly an $18 billion cut from NIH and fewer biomedical research grants, framing these cuts as harmful to "life-saving programs." Kennedy countered by highlighting mismanagement and inefficiencies in current spending and noted that HHS staffing levels have returned to pre-COVID numbers, comparing workforce reductions to similar downsizing at major private companies like Microsoft and Meta. Senator John Kennedy challenged the Democratic narrative by questioning whether downsizing necessarily signals failure, ultimately revealing bipartisan tension over the balance between funding levels and effective use of resources. The hearings showcased a broader debate on the direction of federal health and science funding, with Secretary Kennedy asserting the need to do more with less and improve departmental operations. Despite criticism from senators like Patty Murray, Kennedy remained combative and committed to his budget proposal's goals of compassion and responsibility.