WASHINGTON (AP) — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told Congress Wednesday that the Trump administration will not cut funds It’s off to startagency layoffs and fundraising freezes sparked concerns that the programme from six years ago could be fundamentally reduced.
Appearance Before the Senate SubcommitteeKennedy said the administration “emphasizes healthy eating at Head Start and ensures that the program continues to effectively serve 750,000 children and parents.”
Early education programs that serve children from low-income and homeless families across the country; Staff shortage And many centers operate in eternal states of financial instability.
Though the program is spared from exclusion, Kennedy has fired a considerable number of employees who helped run the program and helped shut down half of its regional offices. The provider has experienced repeated delays in funding since President Donald Trump took office, forcing some to temporarily close.
In a tense exchange, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, forced Kennedy to delay sending funds to Operation Head Start outside Milwaukee and force it to shut down.
“You… what do you say to your parents with head start and doors closed?” she asked him.
“I’m going to be very sad,” Kennedy said. “We fought very hard to make sure Head Start gets all that money next year.”
When asked what was causing the delay, Kennedy said he didn’t know, but suggested that the problem came from employees who “wanted to make the Trump administration look bad.”
Head Start supporters were worried after the leaked Trump administration proposal proposed to pay it back, but said a senior White House official told reporters earlier this month There are no changes To the program.
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