U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, raised concerns on Mar. 24 about the use of federal taxpayer dollars by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration for activities related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within the city’s health department.
Cassidy said these issues are important because they involve significant amounts of federal funding intended for public health services and compliance with nondiscrimination laws. The senator launched an investigation into whether city resources are being used in ways that could alienate Jewish New Yorkers or promote a political agenda instead of supporting healthcare needs.
According to Cassidy, employees at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene organized a working group described as a response to “the ongoing genocide in Palestine.” He noted that during this meeting there was no mention of Hamas’ October 7 attacks against Jewish and Israeli people. The department receives approximately $600 million annually from federal sources out of its nearly $2 billion operating budget.
“These taxpayer dollars are meant to improve New Yorkers’ health, not push a far-left agenda that discriminates against Jewish families,” said Dr. Cassidy. “At a time of rising antisemitism, Mamdani is failing Jewish New Yorkers.”
Cassidy also referenced statements by Dr. Alister Martin, the city’s new health commissioner, who reportedly said that despite possible opposition from the federal government regarding equity initiatives funded by these resources, his department would continue its work on equity regardless.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee oversees legislation on public health and education while providing oversight for agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH), according to its official website. In the current Congress, Cassidy serves as chair for this committee according to official records. The committee influences regulations affecting health across the country as reported by its official site.
Cassidy requested detailed information from Mayor Mamdani about how federally funded resources were used in connection with these activities and what steps are being taken to ensure compliance with nondiscrimination requirements under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Looking ahead, Cassidy asked for written responses addressing oversight procedures within city agencies receiving federal funds before April 6.
