1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Today I take pen in hand to write and urge you to vote against anti-abortion extremist March Bell's nomination for Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services. The Inspector General position requires unbiased oversight and ethical integrity, but Bell's record demonstrates he lacks both qualities necessary for this critical watchdog role. Worse, Bell was forced to resign from his position as deputy director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality after an investigation found he misused thousands of taxpayer dollars. This ethics violation alone should disqualify him from any position designed to root out waste and misconduct in federal agencies. If confirmed, Bell would have sweeping authority over federal funding for reproductive health care programs. Given his history of using government positions to advance a partisan agenda rather than protect taxpayers and ensure program integrity, he cannot be trusted to fulfill the IG's nonpartisan mandate. His extremely partisan track record raises serious concerns about his ability to serve as an impartial watchdog. Bell led a House investigation into reproductive health care providers based on debunked accusations from anti-abortion groups, wasting hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on a politically motivated effort. During Trump's first term, he created a new division at HHS that made it easier for providers to deny patients essential reproductive care and limited federal protections for gender identity. He also attempted to punish states that refused to direct taxpayer money to anti-abortion pregnancy centers. If confirmed, Bell would have sweeping authority over federal funding for reproductive health care programs. Given his history of using government positions to advance a partisan agenda rather than protect taxpayers and ensure program integrity, he cannot be trusted to fulfill the IG's nonpartisan mandate. Women’s health and indeed all our healthcare would be put in serious jeopardy with this nominee, who’s background judgement and character would be in question in any job position in the private sector, much less charged with overseeing a public sector agency of such importance. I urge you to oppose March Bell's confirmation and insist on a nominee with the ethical standards and nonpartisan commitment this position requires. Thank you for your service.