News

Trump Acting Budget Director Russ Vought Defends 15% Budget Cut To CDC Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

The acting director of the White House Office of Management reiterated his proposal of a $9.5 billion cut to Health and Human Services, despite the coronavirus outbreak.

Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pennsylvania) grilled acting director Russ Vought last week during a hearing about President Donald Trump’s 2021 budget plan.

The proposal included cutting funding to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention by 15% and decreasing the budget for the Infectious Diseases Rapid Response Reserve Fund’s annual contribution by $35 million.


“The question is today, as we sit here and we know about coronavirus and the impact it’s taking on the people of the world and the economies of the world and the stock market and everything, as you sit here today, are you ready to take that back?” Cartwright prodded.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

“If you’re asking if I’m sending up a budget amendment, no, I’m not sending up a budget amendment,” Vought responded.

A spokesperson for the OMB told The Hill that the budget cuts would not affect infectious disease, and that the president had allocated $4.3 billion for Infectious Diseases and Preparedness.

CHECK CURRENT DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY DELEGATE TOTALS HERE!

“The $4.3 billion funds all of the CDC programs that focus on infectious disease and emergency preparedness activities,” the spokesperson said. “This figure reflects that the Administration is prioritizing funding for infectious disease and emergency preparedness efforts at CDC, compared to non-infectious activities, like studying the health and safety risks of infrequent bathroom breaks for taxi drivers.”

Katherine Huggins

Share
Published by
Katherine Huggins

Recent Posts

Blue State Republicans Win $40K Cap On SALT In Trump Budget – But It’s Only Temporary

Donald Trump signed his "Big, Beautiful Bill" into law on July 4. It included a…

3 hours ago

Texas Failed To Spend $225M In Federal Disaster Funds Provided By Biden Administration Before Deadly Flash Floods

According to state records, Texas has failed to spend nearly $225 million in federal disaster…

20 hours ago

Trump Envoy Richard Grenell Says ‘Normal Gays’ Voted For Trump, Gay Pride Parades Are ‘Too Sexual’

Richard Grenell, a special presidential envoy and president of the Kennedy Center, has been vocal…

20 hours ago

Right-Wing Podcaster Nick Fuentes Calls Out Trump Over Epstein: ‘This Entire Thing Has Been A Scam’

After President Donald Trump berated his supporters on social media over their ongoing interest in…

22 hours ago

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Fires 2 Top Aides At Department Of Health & Human Services Amid Growing Internal Dissatisfaction

Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired his top two…

1 day ago

After Wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Files For Divorce On ‘Biblical Grounds,’ Control Of U.S. Senate May Be At Stake

Texas State Sen. Angela Paxton (R-Texas), the wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, said…

1 day ago