House Appropriations Panel Approves HHS Bill That Cuts Agency Funding

The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday advanced party-line legislation that would reduce Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funding for fiscal year 2025 by $7.5 billion, or 6.4%. , below the fiscal 2024 level.

The project was approved in the committee by 31 to 25 and now goes to the Chamber plenary, which should be voted on in the week of July 29th.

The bill’s funding levels are far from final, as the Senate is likely to pass a significantly different version of the legislation.

The bill contains numerous policy provisions that Democrats called poison pills, including eliminating funding for national HIV programs, tobacco prevention, teen pregnancy prevention programs, and Title X family planning subsidies. federal funding for gender-affirming care.

The bill would cut the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) injury prevention program and its opioid overdose prevention and surveillance initiative.

“While nearly every 2025 funding bill we considered this year includes attacks on women’s health, this one goes further, blocking access to abortion, reproductive health care and contraception,” Appropriations Committee ranking member Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said.

Lawmakers also adopted an amendment sponsored by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) that would prohibit funding any CDC research into gun violence as a public health epidemic if it involves advocating for restrictions on firearms.

Notably, the legislation would also prevent the Biden administration from implementing its nursing home staffing mandate.

“By advancing this bill in full committee, Republicans show that we are united in strengthening our national security, reining in executive power overreach, and supporting American values ​​and principles,” Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), Chairman of the Labor Party, Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, said.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story