Senators Ask if FDA Will Fill Reviewer Vacancies Despite Hiring Freeze

Eight Democratic senators have sent a letter to the FDA, airing their concerns over the effects of the government-wide hiring freeze on the agency’s mission.

The authors asked whether the agency would exempt any job positions, such as product reviewers, under provisions that permit hiring related to public safety.

“We are deeply concerned that a hiring freeze at the FDA will have a negative impact on the development programs and applications reviews of new drugs and medical devices,” wrote the senators, who all serve on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee that oversees the agency.