Bill Cassidy - Ranking Member of the Senate HELP Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Bill Cassidy - Ranking Member of the Senate HELP Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, have requested information from the Biden administration regarding the development of federal nutritional guidelines for Americans.
The senators expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans by the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA). They highlighted previous scrutiny faced by HHS and USDA for their lack of transparency, especially in the selection process of experts on the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC).
In a letter addressed to Secretaries Becerra and Vilsack, Senators Cassidy and Boozman emphasized the importance of transparency and proper scientific evidence in the review process of the Dietary Guidelines. They pointed out the need for clarity on how the DGAC reviews scientific evidence to build trust in the recommendations finalized through the guidelines and promote healthy lifestyles.
The senators raised specific questions to the administration, including how the DGAC engages with outside stakeholders in accepting and reviewing scientific evidence, and how potential conflicts of interest and a balance of scientific perspectives are addressed among DGAC members.
Furthermore, they inquired about the steps taken by the DGAC to ensure well-reviewed recommendations, such as those related to alcohol and sugar intake guidelines, are incorporated into the final guidelines. The senators also sought information on collaborations between the DGAC, NASEM, the ICCPUD, and other agencies in studying the impact of alcohol consumption and incorporating scientific studies into the final report.
Overall, Senators Cassidy and Boozman are seeking clarity from the Biden administration on why recommended reforms have not been implemented and how transparency will be improved in developing and finalizing the next set of Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
For all news and updates from HELP Republicans, visit their website or Twitter at @GOPHELP.
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