Key Biden agency dropped massive sum on overseas conference with DEI workshop
A recent report from a government watchdog has revealed that former President Joe Biden’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) spent a significant amount of taxpayer dollars sending top officials to a conference in Scotland. The Functional Government Initiative (FGI) obtained this information through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, which disclosed that approximately $60,000 was spent on a group of twelve FDA staffers, including Senior Advisor for Health Equity Dr. Charlene Le Fauve, to attend the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco’s (SRNT’s) conference in Edinburgh in March 2024.
During their time at the conference, the FDA team participated in a workshop focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) topics, specifically addressing the stigma faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in tobacco research. Discussions included the impact of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, discriminatory environments, and the development of community-based research projects to address smoking cessation among transgender individuals in Argentina. Another topic of discussion was the challenges of conducting research on tobacco use in pregnancy post-Dobbs era.
Dr. Le Fauve defended the trip by stating that the knowledge gained at the conference was crucial for the attendees to understand emerging scientific issues and effectively advance agency initiatives. She highlighted the importance of sessions that focused on health equity, particularly in low and middle-income countries where a majority of tobacco users reside.
Brian King, the Director of the Center for Tobacco Products, was also present on the trip. His recent removal from his position by the Trump administration was reportedly due to the FDA deviating from its core mission under the Biden administration and prioritizing issues like DEI over key objectives. A former FDA official, David Oliveira, expressed concerns about the agency’s failure to address critical issues such as illicit vape products flooding the market.
Roderick Law, the Communications Director for FGI, criticized the FDA’s decision to spend taxpayer dollars on sending employees to an overseas conference, questioning the justification for allocating $60,000 for an LGBTQ+ workshop. He emphasized the need for government agencies to stay focused on their mission and avoid wasteful expenditures.
Fox News Digital reached out to the FDA for comment on the matter. This revelation raises concerns about the allocation of taxpayer funds and the priorities of government agencies. It is essential for agencies like the FDA to prioritize their core missions and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used effectively to address pressing public health issues.
