WASHINGTON — Eight Democratic senators are pressing the White House for answers on how the federal hiring freeze will affect the Food and Drug Administration.
President Donald Trump’s memo last week freezing federal hiring did open the door to exemptions for positions needed to fill “public safety responsibilities.” But he did not define public safety — and no one seems quite sure whether the FDA falls into that category.
In a letter sent Monday morning to FDA Acting Commissioner Dr. Stephen Ostroff, most of the Democrats on the Senate health committee warn that a hiring freeze would stall implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act. Passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, the law adds new funds for medical research and directs the FDA to approve drugs and devices with greater urgency.
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