Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.