Congressman Ruiz Demands a Meeting with Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz joined Ranking Member Diana DeGette and fellow members of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee in demanding a meeting with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., amid growing concerns over his DOGE-directed staff cuts and the escalating bird flu and measles outbreaks.

For more than two months, the Energy and Commerce Committee has requested a meeting or hearing with Secretary Kennedy’s office—requests that have gone entirely unanswered.

This morning, the members arrived at the Department of Health and Human Services headquarters seeking a long-overdue conversation. They were met by two security officers who allowed them entry but offered no further communication. No Assistant Secretary, Under Secretary, or representative from Secretary Kennedy’s office came to the lobby to acknowledge or respond to the delegation.

After waiting for over 30 minutes without any engagement from the Department, Congressman Ruiz and the Subcommittee members stepped outside to hold a press conference highlighting the continued lack of transparency and responsiveness from Secretary Kennedy’s team.

A small portion of the Congressman’s remarks are quoted below, and the full video can be found at the bottom of this press release: 

“We want to know why in the middle of a measles outbreak, with over 640 cases, 3 deaths. Why are they cutting the [HHS] staff who are keeping us safe, to do the research, to help us administer the vaccines in the communities?

“One out of four people have been fired from Health and Human Services. In addition to that, they have cut nearly 12 billion dollars in funding that help promote the vaccine throughout our country and this is despicable, when we know that the most effective way of preventing measles is the MMR vaccine.”

For pictures of the press conference click here.

For video of the press conference click here.