WASHINGTON (AP) — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday told Congress the Trump administration would not cut funding for

Head Start

, following layoffs at the agency and funding freezes, concerns arose that this six-decade-old program might face significant cuts.

In an appearance

before a Senate subcommittee

Kennedy stated that the administration would “focus on promoting nutritious diets within Head Start and guarantee that the program keeps serving its 750,000 children and parents efficiently.”

The early education initiative, catering to kids from low-income and homeless households across the nation, faces challenges related to

staffing shortages

And numerous centers function under constant financial instability.

While the program has been spared from elimination, Kennedy has laid off a significant number of employees who helped the program operate and shuttered half its regional offices. Providers have experienced repeated funding delays since President Donald Trump took office, forcing some to briefly close.

During an intense discussion, Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat from Wisconsin, questioned Kennedy about the reason for the federal government’s delay in releasing funds to a Head Start program located near Milwaukee, which led to its closure.

“What would you say to a parent who shows up for … Head Start and the doors are closed?” she asked him.

“I would be very sad,” Kennedy said. “I fought very hard to make sure Head Start gets all of its funding next year.”

When asked about the cause of the delays, Kennedy stated that he wasn’t aware, but hinted that the issue might stem from workers “aiming to portray the Trump administration unfavorably.”

Supporters of Head Start had been concerned following a leak indicating that the Trump administration was considering cutting funding for the program. However, an important White House official informed journalists recently that the initiative would continue to receive support.

no changes

to the program.

___

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