U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA is pushing for CDC’s FOIA team to be restored, after the jobs were eliminated in the recent HHS layoffs.
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The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability’s top Democrat is seeking answers from the CDC regarding the reduction of its public records staff on April 1, amidst a wave of layoffs within federal health agencies.
Rep. Gerry Connolly, a Democrat representing Virginia, recently sent a letter to CDC’s acting director, Dr. Susan Monarez, expressing concern over the suspension of 22 public records request handlers until their positions are terminated on June 2. These staff members have been responsible for processing requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as mandated by Congress since the 1960s.
Connolly’s letter highlights the absence of personnel available to handle FOIA requests at the CDC, suggesting a deliberate attempt by the Administration to restrict public access to government information. NPR reached out to the CDC for comment but has not received a response yet.
Recent reports indicate that FOIA officers at other health agencies under the Department of Health and Human Services, such as the FDA and NIH, have also been dismissed, raising concerns about transparency and access to government data.
In his correspondence, Connolly queries the CDC on its plans to fulfill public records requirements, outstanding requests, and potential communications with the current administration. He emphasizes the importance of transparency, especially during public health crises like ongoing disease outbreaks.
During a recent press briefing, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the restoration of all FOIA offices within the agency, with a focus on improving information accessibility to the public. However, the specifics of rehiring or replacing terminated FOIA personnel remain unclear.
Kennedy underscored the agency’s obligation to provide information to the American people, emphasizing the importance of honesty and compliance with FOIA regulations. Notably, Kennedy has a history of involvement with an anti-vaccine advocacy group that previously sued the FDA for COVID-19 vaccine data under FOIA.
Greta Pittenger contributed to this report.
Contact Sydney Lupkin at slupkin@npr.org or via Signal at sydneylupkin.36.
