During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) sharply criticized Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, regarding the Trump administration’s substantial cuts to the workforce of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Ossoff emphasized that these proposed reductions could see the CDC’s staff decrease by nearly a quarter and its fiscal year 2026 budget cut by as much as 50%.
Vought, who played a significant role in Project 2025, sought to sidestep direct inquiries about the cuts, pointing to assertions that the Biden administration suggested the agency required reform.
“I don’t want to hear about the Biden administration. You’re here on behalf of the Trump administration,” Ossoff firmly interrupted in response.
The director’s testimony also touched on the administration’s intentions to slash $9.4 billion from global health and foreign aid programs, alongside public broadcasting, as part of broader fiscal reductions endorsed by the Department of Government Efficiency, previously overseen by tech tycoon Elon Musk.
Ossoff pressed on, underscoring perceived missteps at the CDC, such as the agency’s recent reinstatement of previously laid-off employees.
“Have you visited the CDC, Mr. Vought?” Ossoff inquired.
“I have not,” Vought admitted.
Ossoff asserted the significance of the CDC, labeling it “the flagship epidemiological and public health agency for the country and indeed for the world.”
Vought attempted to divert attention by mentioning that even the Biden administration deemed the CDC in need of reform.
In response, Ossoff maintained his inquiry about the layoffs and budget cuts, prompting Vought to question the CDC’s efficacy during the COVID pandemic.
“Senator, are you suggesting the CDC performed well in the last pandemic?” Vought asked.
Ossoff countered, “I asked you whether you have fired or tried to fire a quarter of the CDC workforce.”
Vought claimed he lacked immediate access to relevant facts, suggesting that the upcoming CDC director nominee, Susan Monarez, could provide more detailed information.
Despite this, Ossoff continued to insist that Vought answer his question directly.
Vought ultimately asserted, “They were incompetent last pandemic,” and confirmed an aim to reduce the CDC further.
Ossoff rebutted this perspective, stressing the agency’s crucial role in public health and epidemiological defense across the country.
“Whatever past criticism you have about their past performance, they are essential to public health and epidemiological defense in the United States,” he stated.
Expressing concern about the implications of these cuts, Ossoff declared, “You’re crushing morale, you’re crushing capability and you’re destroying my constituents’ lives.”
He concluded by expressing gratitude for Vought’s tentative commitment to visit Georgia and the CDC’s headquarters to engage with its workforce.
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