Klomp's HHS Deputy Hearing Spotlights His Current Power — SkimNews
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- Chris Klomp appeared before the Senate Finance committee on Tuesday and a second key committee over two days as part of his nomination to become deputy secretary of HHS, second-in-command to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Klomp has already played a major role in the Trump administration's Make America Healthy Again agenda, including helping negotiate pharmaceutical-company deals to offer lower drug prices
- Klomp conducted searches for high-profile HHS hires and served as a liaison between HHS and the White House prior to his nomination
- Klomp told senators his job is to "enable the smooth operations of the department" and that he is "responsible for personnel, among other things"
- Senators focused their questioning on the authority Klomp already wields and how he would use that power if confirmed to the deputy role
Why it matters: Klomp's hearings underscore that he is not a neutral technocrat awaiting confirmation — he has already been negotiating drug-price deals, hiring senior staff, and bridging HHS and the White House on the MAHA agenda, meaning a confirmation would formalize rather than initiate his influence over personnel and pharmaceutical policy.
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