Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash. ) attempted to confront Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over the ramifications of recent staffing cuts at a Senate hearing this week. Murray especially cited the tale of a resident who is battling stage four cancer. But when Kennedy gave the woman a clear path to assist, Murray appeared more interested in making political points than really resolving the issue, if the issue is also real.
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One of my constituents, Natalie Phelps, is a mother of two from Bainbridge Island in Washington State, and Murray gave an personal account of her battle with extreme step four colon cancer. Phelps ‘ “best hope now is a scientific trial she’s participating in at the NIH Clinical Center,” according to Murray, but her treatment reportedly took longer because of staff cuts across HHS and NIH.
This may mean the difference between life and death for step four cancers people like Natalie, Murray claimed. How many employees have been let go from the NIH Clinical Center, Secretary Kennedy? A particular variety is what I need.
If you call my office tomorrow, I’ll look precisely into that, according to Kennedy, who didn’t include the amount on hand.
Murray retorted,” That is not acceptable,” and said she wanted an answer” by that,” referring to an unknown date.
Kennedy made the suggestion,” Wouldn’t you rather get her into that clinical trial as quickly as you can” while reviving the situation. When Murray agreed, Kennedy said,” So if you contact my office tomorrow, [ I want to help. ] ] I want to help.
I’m now unsure if the mother of two actually exists. She retorted,” You are here to protect your funds,” cutting off any further discussion of helping Natalie. I’m here to ask you questions about the effects of that.
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Kennedy responded,” You asked me about a certain event that I wanted help with,” despite her apparent frustration. Murray talked over him regularly as the transfer went on. When Kennedy suddenly responded,” I’ve offered to help Natalie,” Murray responded,” I reclaim my day, you know what that means.
Kennedy repeated,” I’ve offered to help Natalie,” before stating,” but you don’t attention.” You are uninterested in Natalie.
Let’s face it, we all thought this. Murray completely lacked any interest in addressing the issue and preferred to use the story to advance social goals was so plainly apparent. Despite insisting that he had issued guidelines stating that” no scientific studies should be affected,” Murray went on to criticise Kennedy of physically failing to assess the impact of staffing breaks on patient care.
She remarked,” You are here to support cutting NIH by half.” Do you honestly think that won’t lead to more tales like Natalie’s?
Kennedy continued to say he was ready to assist Natalie instantly. Senator, please get in touch with me, and I’ll do everything in my energy to try to get Natalie into that trial.
It was really disappointing to see Murray turn in favor of this assistance.
Rep. Democrat: Brings up a basic who is in need of assistance.
RFK Jr.: Okay, I want to assist. Visit my business monday, and I will privately make sure she receives the assistance she needs.
Rep. Democrat: I’m the one who is posing the issues! !
These individuals are PATHETIC. photograph. twitter.com/cgsLhwpMv9
— Gunther Eagleman™ ( @GuntherEagleman ) May 14, 2025
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Murray’s efficiency raises important questions about her real priorities, especially after Kennedy frequently offered to assist her constituents but was instead met with posturing.  ,
This is the first line in a nutshell. They’ll parade a tragic tale in front of the devices to sway social justice consciousness and stoke anger over” structural failure,” but they’ll back off when someone offers a genuine alternative.  ,
It was never about assisting people like Natalie. It’s always about the tale, the optics, and the chance to slam the Trump presidency in the face. Sympathy? That is nothing more than a ball.
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