House Reps Ask Trump to Clarify FDA’s Status Under Hiring Freeze

Democratic members of Congress have asked President Trump how the federal hiring freeze will affect the FDA’s user fee program, which are set to be reauthorized later this year. They account for 42 percent of the agency’s budget.

In a letter, the representatives said it remained unclear if the FDA is included under exemptions to the hiring freeze for jobs related to public health.

The letter requested a detailed description of the agency positions that would be exempt from the freeze. The FDA currently has an estimated 1,000 vacancies, mostly in CDER, wrote Reps. Diana DeGette (Colo.), Frank Pallone (N.J.) and Gene Green (Texas), the ranking members of House committees covering government oversight, public health and the FDA.