Energy and Commerce Committee Democratic leaders wrote to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jayanta Bhattacharya today demanding a briefing and justification after the Administration illegally placed Dr. Jenna Norton, an NIH employee and leader of the Bethesda Declaration, on administrative leave.
The letter was signed by Full Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY).
“While the communication placing Dr. Norton on administrative leave stated that it was ‘not being done for any disciplinary purpose,’ a Department of Health and Human Services official hiding behind anonymity told The New York Times that Dr. Norton was ‘a radical leftist’ who was placed on leave for criticizing the Administration,” the Democratic Committee leaders wrote.
“Your illegal actions violate the protections afforded to Dr. Norton under both the Whistleblower Protection Act and the First Amendment to the Constitution. Additionally, any efforts to pretend that Dr. Norton has not been placed on administrative leave for a ‘disciplinary purpose’ are completely unconvincing, particularly given the statement by the unnamed HHS staffer,” the Democrats continued in their letter. “To assist with our oversight of your actions, we request a briefing within the next week regarding...
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