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- Ongoing government shutdown hits FDA, CDC staffing, programs
There has been no movement to reopen the government as the Senate has failed to pass a House-backed funding resolution.
We've previously reviewed staffing levels for the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) during a shutdown.
The FDA continues essential surveillance activities, but lacks the authority to accept user fees until appropriations are enacted.
- During a shutdown, the FDA retains 86% of its workforce, while 14% are furloughed.
- Among those retained, 66% are funded or exempt from furlough, and 19% are considered essential for activities necessary for human safety.
Meanwhile, the CDC has furloughed more than half its staff of 8,700 workers. The CDC also continues monitoring for disease outbreaks and other essential functions.
- On October 10, the White House announced thousands of additional layoffs affecting HHS, CDC, and other federal agencies.
- However, by October 12, the administration was working to call back employees who were errantly let go.