New England Public Radio

Warren Grills HHS Nominee Tom Price Over Stock Deals

During confirmation hearings Wednesday for Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Tom Price, things got heated between Price and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Warren questioned a stock deal done on behalf of Price, a Republican congressman from Georgia.

Citing official disclosure forms, Warren accused Price of buying shares of a medical device company, and then introducing legislation that would have boosted its profits.

Price said his broker made the deal and he was unaware of it.

Warren then continued:

“You were notified of this trade on April 4th, 2016,” Warren said. “Did you take additional actions after that date to advance your plan to help the company that you now own stock in?”

Price replied: “I’m offended by the insinuation, Senator.”

Price also said he supports a repeal of Obamacare, and that he believes Trump’s claims that he will not make cuts to Medicare or Social Security

Neal Affirms Support For Rep. Lewis, Still Attending Trump Inaugural

Springfield Congressman Richie Neal said while he supports his colleague, Georgia U.S. Representative John Lewis, he still will attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Lewis last week said Trump was not a legitimate president and that he would not attend the swearing-in on Friday. Trump then tweeted that Lewis, who is a civil rights leader, was “all talk and no action or results.”

During a Berkshire swing, Neal said he and Lewis have offices next to each other and that they talk all the time.

“His entire life has been devoted to non-violence,” Neal said. “The idea that he would be insulted on social media is not helpful to American dialogue.”

But when it comes to joining Lewis by skipping the Trump inaugural: “The institution of the presidency beckons my attendance,” Neal said.

And Neal will be joined by nearly the entire Massachusetts delegation. Only Congresswoman Katherine Clark has said she will not attend.