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Congressional Democrats Demand Answers on CDC Firings

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Rep. Lucy McBath and Georgia's Democratic Congressional Delegation are condemning the chaotic firings and rehiring of employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during the tenure of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. A recent round of mass firings has left the agency's workforce demoralized, with nearly half of the terminated employees rehired "by mistake." The delegation is calling for Secretary Kennedy to address the "reckless demolition" of the public health agency.

Key Takeaways:

  • 1,760 HHS employees, including 1,300 CDC scientists, doctors, and health officials, received "reduction in force" notices in the latest round of firings.
  • Nearly half of the employees terminated in the latest round were rehired "by mistake."
  • 400 CDC employees responsible for tracking and preventing infectious disease were rehired after their termination in another round of mass firings in June.
  • Rep. Lucy McBath and the delegation are criticizing HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for "reckless demolition" of the CDC.
  • The delegation is accusing Secretary Kennedy of "personal animus" and a failure to understand the CDC's work.
  • The CDC's current state has left its workforce "deeply demoralized," potentially putting the United States and the American people at risk from deadly diseases.

Statistics:

  • 1,760 HHS employees received "reduction in force" notices in the latest round of firings.
  • 1,300 of the HHS employees terminated were CDC scientists, doctors, and health officials.
  • 400 CDC employees responsible for tracking and preventing infectious disease were rehired after being terminated in June.
  • 50% of the employees terminated in the latest round were rehired "by mistake."

Sources:

  • "McBath, Georgia's Congressional Democratic Delegation Demand Answers on Latest Round of Chaotic CDC Firings." Mondaq, 21 Oct. 2023, [www.mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=3F7617E1-BEB4-4D2B-8ABF-3E98EDCC6A5E](http://www.mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=3F7617E1-BEB4-4D2B-8ABF-3E98EDCC6A5E)
  • Original text here: https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=3F7617E1-BEB4-4D2B-8ABF-3E98EDCC6A5E

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