Unbelievable Impact: US Government Shutdown Threatens Science and Health!
As the US government shutdown stretches into its third week, something shocking is unfolding—the very fabric of American science is unraveling. Can you believe that funding for essential clean-energy projects is being yanked right when the world needs it most?
Since the shutdown started on October 1, the Trump administration has been slashing budgets and laying off vital public-health workers. With Congress unable to agree on a spending bill, the repercussions are felt deeply in federally funded museums, laboratories, and the critical work they do.
This turmoil began when lawmakers couldn't rally behind a budget plan, especially with the Democratic party demanding an extension of popular health-care subsidies—something Republicans are unwilling to budge on. Vice President JD Vance warned, “The longer this goes on, the deeper the cuts are going to be.” Time is ticking, and the stakes are incredibly high.
In an unprecedented move during a shutdown, the administration plans to let go of 4,100 to 4,200 federal employees. This is not just a statistic; it’s a gut punch to families relying on these jobs. Unions representing federal workers are already fighting back, highlighting the severe consequences these layoffs will have on public health.
On the front lines of this crisis is the CDC, where 1,300 staff members received Reduction in Force (RIF) notices, leading to widespread panic within the ranks. Despite some notices being rescinded, the morale has already taken a hit. This is particularly alarming because these layoffs threaten the CDC’s ability to respond effectively to public health emergencies—something we all depend on.
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a critical program collecting health data since the 1960s, is facing turmoil. Epidemiologists fear that with its team decimated, the survey may cease to function, jeopardizing future health insights. One former CDC staff member, Asher Rosinger, expressed deep concern that this “gold standard survey may no longer be able to operate in the future.”
Adding to the chaos, some employees at the CDC have faced layoffs twice in less than six months. Imagine the uncertainty and stress that brings! Mathematical statistician Isaac Michael shared that their crucial survey tracking maternal and infant health has been halted, leaving critical data collection in limbo. “If there’s a future surge in maternal or infant deaths, we won’t even know there’s a problem,” he warned.
In a further effort to justify the layoffs, the Trump administration claimed these employees were deemed non-essential. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency is also set to lose 20-30 employees, further stretching the already thin resources available for environmental protection.
What’s worse is that, alongside the shutdown, the Department of Energy announced cuts of nearly $7.6 billion from 223 energy projects, many aimed at renewable energy. This includes funding to 33 academic institutions, adding up to a staggering $620 million in lost support. The cuts have already amounted to billions since Trump took office, signaling a trend that could set back critical research for years to come.
