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STAT+: HHS layoffs rile Democrats, but Republicans say they trust RFK Jr.’s cuts will not hamper core operations
Democrats predict lawsuits, disrupted care after layoffs. Republicans say cuts will increase efficiency.
WASHINGTON — News of massive layoffs at the Health and Human Services Department was met with anger and predictions of lawsuits by Democratic lawmakers, and with a shrug by Republicans.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a department-wide reorganization on Thursday that calls for laying off about 10,000 employees. Combined with other Trump administration efforts, including early retirement and buyout offers, HHS will lose about 20,000 employees, one-quarter of its staff.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be especially hard hit, each losing nearly 20% of their workforce.
