Healthcare

House Judiciary GOP members blast CDC for reportedly taking cues from teachers unions

Published

1 year ago

May 13, 2021

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Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee are accusing the CDC of allowing politics to trump the science. In a Wednesday letter to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Rep. James Comer (R-KY) and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) claim political interference from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) “resulted in months-long delays in the reopening of schools to the detriment of American children.”

In emails obtained by Americans for Public Trust, Walensky appears to have had a very close relationship with Kelly Trautner, senior director of health issues for AFT. In the emails, Trautner thanks Walensky for her “genuine desire to earn our confidence” and her “commitment to partnership.” The director has earned this confidence by accepting “feedback” provided by Trautner to “strengthen the document” on schools reopening from February 12th.

So, the ranking members are demanding that all communication between any and all CDC employees and teacher union representatives be handed over. This is an effort to ensure that past CDC guidance hasn’t “depart[ed] from established science” by allowing other interest groups to interfere. The deadline for submitting all documents to the committee is May 26th.

You can follow Jenny Goldsberry on Twitter @jennyjournalism

Related Topics:American Federation of Teachers CDC james comer Jim Jordan Rochelle Walensky Virginia Foxx

Elections

Oklahoma passes bill banning majority of abortions from ‘moment of fertilization’

Published

14 hours ago

May 26, 2022

Sara Carter Staff

Oklahoma’s Republican Governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law on Wednesday which bans virtually all abortions “from the moment of fertilization.”

“I promised Oklahomans that as governor I would sign every piece of pro-life legislation that came across my desk and I am proud to keep that promise today. From the moment life begins at conception is when we have a responsibility as human beings to do everything we can to protect that baby’s life and the life of the mother,” Stitt said in a statement. “That is what I believe and that is what the majority of Oklahomans believe.”

The state legislature first approved the bill, which goes into effect immediately, last week. It bans abortions from the moment of fertilization, except for in cases where rape or incest occurred, or where the mother’s life is in danger.

The law also allows for private citizens to sue doctors or those who participate in “producing an abortion for up to $10,000, mimicking the enforcement mechanism in Texas’s fetal heartbeat law” reports National Review.

Under the new law it is a felony offense to perform an abortion, “which will take effect in August unless a court challenge blocks it.”

Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed into law the most restive abortion ban in the United States. pic.twitter.com/nDjCQcG7UI

— Storme Jones (@StormeJones) May 25, 2022