Guest Editorial: Representative Mike Lawler should oppose the wholesale "hollowing out"of the federal workforce.
"Reform of government agencies may be necessary and could require a painful adjustment... but that pain should be justified by a thoughtful and transparent approach."
by Rob Abbot
Editor’s Note: The Chronicle welcomes the diverse viewpoints of local residents. We normally publish them uncut, unedited, and in front of the paywall. Guest Editorials can range up to 3000 words. To discuss a possible submission, please contact us at TheCrotonChronicle@gmail.com
I recently wrote to Mike Lawler, my representative in Congress, to ask that he carefully consider the consequences of the Trump administration’s early actions with regard to management of federal government agencies. Oversight of the Executive Branch is a crucial part of his job to represent me and my neighbors in Congress.
As an example of actions that should raise Congressional concern, I noted that the targeting of FBI agents who were assigned to investigate the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol suggests that the President Trump is elevating a personal vendetta above public safety.
More generally, the wholesale firing of patriotic Federal civil servants by Elon Musk and his DOGE team is driving out talented and experienced people who are essential to operating many government programs that were duly established by Congress to serve the American people. The departments where these civil servants work are responsible for promoting public health, fighting crime, protecting consumers, supporting schools and colleges, helping farmers, regulating financial markets, and performing many other crucial functions.
I urged Representative Lawler to oppose the wholesale "hollowing out" of the Federal workforce. Reform of government agencies may be necessary and could require a painful adjustment by the civil servants in those agencies, but that pain should be justified by a thoughtful and transparent approach to reform. I don't think we are seeing that level of care being taken by the people who are implementing the President's policies.
I understand that it is necessary for any elected official to demonstrate loyalty to his or her party and its programs and policies. However, such officials must also demonstrate independent thinking and, in consultation with colleagues, consider the consequences of the policies of the Executive Branch. Congress has a responsibility to oversee the actions of the Administration. I expect Representative Lawler to take that responsibility seriously.
Rob Abbot is a retired northern Virginia middle school teacher who now lives in Croton. He is active in local organizations.
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The Department of Health and Human Services has abruptly canceled more than $12 billion in federal grants to states that were being used for tracking infectious diseases, mental health services, addiction treatment and other urgent health issues. The health grants in question were authorized and appropriated by Congress.
For example, in Lubbock, Texas, public health officials have received orders to stop work supported by grants that helped fund the response to the widening measles outbreak there, according to Katherine Wells, the city’s director of public health.
There is no defending that Trump and company are taking a chainsaw to “waste, fraud, and abuse.”
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