Senators Looney, Duff & Anwar Denounce Job Killing Federal Health Cuts

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and State Senator Saud Anwar, Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, released the following statement in response to the confirmation that federal cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services have already impacted 50 individuals working with the state Department of Public Health, with another 49 agency staff at risk of unemployment:

“It seems that Connecticut takes another blow from the federal government every day under the Trump administration. Today, we learn that 50 individuals working with the Department of Public Health who keep the agency’s operations functional were issued stop work orders, and another 49 agency staff are at direct risk of losing their jobs, all as a result of grants previously approved by Congress and suddenly rescinded by federal leaders. What’s worse, we fear this is the tip of the iceberg, and continue to struggle to determine exactly what our state is losing so we can properly respond.

“Connecticut Republicans remain shamefully silent as these devastating federal cuts continue to harm our state. Their refusal to speak out against this job-killing move is a betrayal of Connecticut workers and families. Time and again, they have chosen party loyalty over standing up for our state’s needs. Their silence on these cruel and reckless federal decisions proves they are complicit in the destruction of critical services and the livelihoods of our residents. Once again, we urge them to join us.”