Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy
Appearances
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
All right. So fast forward to this moment. Why are Democratic state attorneys general now suing? And really specifically, what do they criticize about these cuts?
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
Well, the coalition basically describes there are about 19 attorneys general who are bringing this lawsuit. And what they're saying is the restructuring is reckless. It's irrational. It's dangerous. And the reason for that is they say, for instance, you know, the administration has fired staff that's responsible for maintaining federal poverty guidelines, which states rely on to determine poverty.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
eligibility for food assistance programs, housing, Medicaid, etc. And there are some other programs, something called like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which basically helps low-income homeowners and renters heat and cool their homes. And the entire team has been fired. So that's a huge problem.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
But the Trump administration says they'll support low-income households through energy dominance, through bringing prices lower and things like that. But that doesn't make much sense to these folks because they're saying, well, that will take time, right? It's not going to be immediate. It's going to be not paying bills this year.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
And the administration also says it's not really necessary to have this program because a lot of the states have a different program which prevents utilities from shutting off heat during winter. But critics are not satisfied with that answer because none of this is going to be immediate.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
And even if there are rules preventing them from shutting off utilities, they still have to pay for the higher bills that they will incur this year.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
Well, you know, interestingly, Kennedy next week, Swapna, is expected to appear before lawmakers. Tell us a little bit about what to expect there. What's at stake and what might happen in that hearing?
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
The hearing is going to be on May 14th, and I'm sure he will be asked questions by the senators about last Friday. The HHS proposed a budget that is 26 percent lower than last year, and it involves $33 billion. dollars less than last year.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
So I'm sure one of the questions for Kennedy is going to be how he's going to balance programs and maintain critical programs with 20,000 fewer people and a 26 percent smaller budget. So that's going to be a question that he will have to answer.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
Swapna Menegopal Ramaswamy is a White House correspondent with USA Today. Thank you, Swapna.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said an expanded offensive against Hamas would be intensive after his security cabinet approved plans that may include seizing all of Gaza. A report by Israel's public broadcaster, Khan, citing officials with knowledge of the details, said the new plan was gradual and would take months.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
An Israeli defense official also said the operation would not be launched before President Trump wraps a visit next week to the Middle East. Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi rejected what he called pressure and blackmail. Israel resumed its offensive in March after the collapse of a U.S.-backed ceasefire that had stopped fighting for two months. It has since imposed an aid blockade.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
19 Democratic state attorneys general are filing a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's efforts to overhaul the Department of Health and Human Services. I spoke with USA Today White House correspondent Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, who joined me from outside the White House to learn more. Swapna, thanks for hopping on today. Thank you, Taylor, for having me.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
The Department of Homeland Security is offering $1,000 stipends and free airfare to immigrants who deport themselves. The proposal released yesterday enhances the department's previous encouragement to immigrants without legal authorization to be in the country to announce their intention to leave on a Customs and Border Protection app.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement that if you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest. President Trump says he knew nothing about an artificially generated image of him dressed as the Pope that was posted to his Truth Social account over the weekend.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
The image that the White House reshared has drawn criticism from Catholics who are still mourning the death of Pope Francis. Trump attended his funeral last week alongside other world leaders, and a papal conclave to select a new pope is set to begin tomorrow.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
Seriously delinquent student loan borrowers hit a record high just as the Department of Education is resuming involuntary collections on defaulted debt. I spoke with USA Today money and personal finance reporter Medora Lee for the latest. Hey there, Medora. Hi. What does this research, Medora, tell us about seriously delinquent student loan borrowers?
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
And I guess really, what does seriously delinquent actually mean in this context?
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
Wow. And a massive jump from just a few years ago. What does serious delinquency like this really mean for one's finances, Medora?
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
So just starting here, before we get to this lawsuit, let's go back to March. Tell us about this restructuring plan that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced, and how is it really part of this broader push from the Trump administration?
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
Absolutely. So are there particular groups of folks, Medora, that are seeing the largest credit score declines in this moment?
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
Good morning, I'm Taylor Wilson, and today is Tuesday, May 6th, 2025. This is The Excerpt. Today, what's at stake as states sue over health and human services cuts? Plus, what's next for Israel's plans in Gaza? And seriously delinquent student loan borrowers hit a record high.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
So the Education Department said it would resume collection activities effective yesterday, Monday. Where do we go from here and will more severe delinquencies get reported in the coming months?
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
All right. Interesting findings. Folks can go find this full story with a link in today's show notes. Medora Lee covers money and personal finance for USA Today. Thanks, Medora.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
Secretary Kennedy basically said his dramatic restructuring plan would save taxpayers about $1.8 billion per year, and that would be through a downsizing plan. And that involves 20,000 fewer full-time employees. So it would go from about 82,000 to about 62,000 employees. And Secretary Kennedy also says it will not be affecting any critical programs.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
Last night's Met Gala is in the books. Aimed in part at honoring the late fashion journalist Andre Leon Talley and the rich tradition of black dandyism, this year's theme was titled Super Fine at Tailoring Black Style. You can read more from the night and check out some of the biggest looks in our gallery. We have a link in the show notes.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
And finally, Witness and USA Today have teamed up to launch Untested, a new true crime podcast. The series brings listeners along on one detective's dogged quest to put a sexual predator behind bars. My colleague Dana Taylor spoke with the show's host, USA Today investigative reporter Gina Borden, for a bonus episode of the excerpt. You can find that right here beginning at 4 p.m.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
Eastern time today. And thanks for listening to The Excerpt. You can get the podcast wherever you get your audio. And if you're on a smart speaker, just ask for The Excerpt. If you have any questions or comments, you can also email us at podcasts at usatoday.com. I'm Taylor Wilson. I'll be back tomorrow with more of The Excerpt from USA Today.
The Excerpt
19 states sue RFK Jr., Trump administration for overhauling HHS
Some of the details of the plans include consolidating divisions, which will go from about 28 to about 15, centralizing functions such as HR and IT. And they're also shutting down certain regional offices. You know, it'll go from about 10 to about five. That's the overall plan.