Sarah Elfreth Decries Trump Administration's Cuts To CDC, Warns They Will Harm Gun-Violence Research

During remarks on the House floor last week, Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-MD) spoke about the Trump administration's cuts to the CDC.

Transcript

00:00Without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute.

00:06Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

00:07This gun violence prevention month, I rise today to bring attention to the leading cause

00:12of death for children and teens in this country, firearms.

00:16And the reason we know that firearms are the leading cause of death for children is because

00:21of scientists and researchers at government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control.

00:26Over the years, the CDC has advanced our nation's public health through recommendations to improve

00:32things like vehicle design, smoke detectors, and bicycle helmets.

00:37Yet this administration is now decimating CDC offices, including the Division of Violence

00:43Prevention and the Division of Injury Prevention.

00:46Mr. Speaker, as legislators, we have a shared responsibility to advance policies to keep

00:51our communities safe, but we cannot do that without good science and good data.

00:55We simply cannot understand the scope and the depth of the gun violence epidemic without

01:00the CDC doing its job.

01:02That's why myself and House Democrats will fight for our world-class scientists, researchers,

01:07and health professionals every single day.

01:09I yield back.

01:10The gentlewoman yields.

01:11For what purpose does the gentleman from Texas say?