U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia) addressed the Rotary Club of Atlanta on August 11, highlighting the significant role of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in global health and defending it against recent funding cuts.
Ossoff expressed pride in the CDC, noting its historical achievements, including the eradication of smallpox, and emphasized the importance of its presence in Georgia.
He condemned what he described as a “destructive and inexplicable” political assault on the CDC, calling for bipartisan support to sustain its funding.
His remarks came in the presence of prominent figures from Georgia’s global health sector, including Judy Monroe from the CDC Foundation and Paige Alexander from the Carter Center.
“I was frankly outraged when the budget request from the White House suggested defunding more than half of the CDC’s activities altogether,” he stated, also mentioning attacks on the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Ossoff warned that dismantling the public health infrastructure would have long-term detrimental effects on the nation’s health outcomes.
The senator noted his work with colleagues across the political spectrum to advocate for the CDC’s current funding levels in the Senate’s fiscal year 2026 budget. However, he expressed concern that further attempts to cut funding were likely.
Ossoff described the White House proposal to abolish the U.S. Department of Education as radical and self-destructive, asserting that public opposition has been effective in protecting educational funding.
“Public pressure works,” he remarked, citing successful efforts to secure funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and after-school programs across Georgia.
Despite his commitment to bipartisan efforts, Ossoff voiced skepticism about Republican pushback against the administration’s education reform proposals.
He shared that the proposal to abolish the Department of Education is unpopular among the public and the school leadership in Georgia.
“It’s deeply unpopular with school board leaders and superintendents of schools across the state of Georgia,” Ossoff stated, encouraging Georgians to advocate for the CDC and other affected entities.
At the event, he urged attendees to be vocal about their concerns, highlighting that fear of retribution can deter people from expressing their opinions.
Ossoff remarked that individuals from various sectors have approached him expressing their concerns yet remain silent due to fear of governmental retaliation.
He stressed the importance of open dialogue, emphasizing that fear and intimidation should not stifle dissent.
In discussing American leadership in research, Ossoff warned that threats to university and research institutions could lead to national self-harm, impacting America’s standing in technology and innovation.
He highlighted that the destruction of research capacity could take decades to recover from, reinforcing the significance of uninterrupted clinical trials and research activities.
During the question-and-answer session, Rod Edmond inquired about the deployment of U.S. Armed Forces to police American cities, including Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
Ossoff responded that such measures are unpopular among military personnel, asserting that young service members enlist to defend the nation from foreign threats, not to patrol domestic streets.
He noted that the president appears to admire authoritarian leadership traits worldwide, which is a sentiment he finds concerning.
Reflecting on his aim for others to perceive him as judicious and fact-based, Ossoff critiqued the current political climate as untenable, noting the use of fear as a political tool.
He also shared a personal story about his civic engagement upbringing in Atlanta’s Inman Park neighborhood, which aligns with the values he was educated in during his youth.
Addressing a question regarding gerrymandering from the Texas legislature, Ossoff explained an earlier attempt to legislate against partisan gerrymandering for U.S. House districts, which was ultimately filibustered.
He identified gerrymandering as a barrier to political moderation, insisting that it leads politicians to cater solely to extreme voices, as most districts become safe for one party.
Patrick O’Carroll from the Task Force for Global Health expressed gratitude to Ossoff for his defense of the CDC, acknowledging the agency’s current challenges.
Agnes Scott College President Lee Zak also lauded Ossoff’s support for higher education, raising concerns about a potential talent drain due to visa issues.
Ossoff encouraged leaders in academia and business to advocate against deterring skilled individuals who could contribute to the nation’s long-term economic growth.
Responding to a question from David Leiter, a managing partner at KPMG, about tariff policies, Ossoff acknowledged tariffs as tools in economic policy but warned of the uncertainties they create.
He emphasized that businesses require a stable environment to plan effectively, indicating that current policies have led to confusion in market dynamics.
Lastly, touching on the national debt, he acknowledged the serious fiscal challenges that the country faces, emphasizing the need for responsible management of resources.
In response to Paige Alexander’s question regarding his controversial vote to limit U.S. weapon sales to Israel, Ossoff articulated that no foreign ally should have automatic access to American arms.
He underlined that the U.S. must leverage its aid, including arms, to influence foreign policies positively, particularly concerning issues causing civilian harm.
Despite reaffirming his support for Israel, Ossoff stressed the importance of holding allies accountable for their actions, citing humanitarian concerns as crucial to U.S. values and national interest.
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