WASHINGTON — A Senate panel is deepening its probe into New York Metropolis Zohran Mamdani’s administration over the creation of a well being division “International Oppression Working Group,” first uncovered by The Publish, that accused Israel of genocide and downplayed Hamas’ function in initiating the Gaza warfare.
Sen. Invoice Cassidy (R-La.) wrote one other letter to mayor on Monday, noting current feedback from Well being Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin elevate questions on whether or not Mamdani’s administration is performing “according to federal legislation.”
Cassidy, who chairs the Senate Well being, Training, Labor and Pensions Committee, steered that the Division of Well being’s receipt of $600 million in federal funding yearly could also be at odds with “situations” imposed by the federal government.
“Prioritizing a political agenda over compliance with these necessities dangers each federal funding and the general public well being of New York Metropolis residents,” he added. “Federal taxpayers ought to have faith that funds supposed to assist public well being companies are administered in compliance with these obligations.”
The letter calls for extra details about the working group, what kind of “particular federally funded assets” it’s receiving and whether or not the Mamdani administration is figuring out whether or not it has met “federal nondiscrimination necessities.”
“What steps, if any, is your administration taking to reassure New Yorkers that taxpayer {dollars} stay centered on selling public well being and are usually not being diverted to push a political agenda that singles out the State of Israel?” Cassidy additionally requested the mayor instantly.
Martin in an interview with NY1 acknowledged there was “fairly particular proof that the federal authorities shouldn’t be a fan of the work that we’re doing on fairness” — however dismissed that it might trigger any points with funding and declared his division was “not gonna cease doing that work on fairness” even when the federal authorities “comes and messes with our cash.”
Cassidy first wrote to Mamdani in early February to precise concern in regards to the “rescission of govt orders associated to antisemitism and boycotts of Israel.”
“Selections by your administration that weaken established safeguards for Jewish college students in New York and are out of alignment with federal govt orders warrant cautious scrutiny,” Cassidy warned, highlighting the voided orders that “created the Mayor’s Workplace to Fight Antisemitism to establish and develop efforts to remove antisemitism and anti-Jewish hate crime,” and opposed anti-boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) insurance policies.
The preliminary letter was despatched was in the future after DOH staffers held the primary “International Oppression and Public Well being Working Group” assembly, the place one presenter famous, “We actually developed in response to the continued genocide in Palestine.”
One other stated “the working group goals to handle the rising pursuits among the many well being division employees to study present and ongoing international oppression in its many kinds and the way it influences the development of well being fairness.”
No presenters or attendees talked about Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, assault that killed 1,200 — together with dozens of Individuals — in Israel, in keeping with a transcript of the assembly and a supply who was current.
Cassidy’s most up-to-date missive on March 23 asks whether or not different “ethnic or nationwide teams affected by international geopolitical conflicts” shall be offered entry to “separate working teams” — “or whether or not the Division’s sole curiosity is in denouncing the Israeli Palestinian battle to the exclusion of all others.”
The Senate GOP chairman has requested for a response to all his queries by April 6.
It’s unclear whether or not Mamdani replied to the earlier letter.
Reps for his workplace and town well being division didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
