FDA Rehires Staff Responsible for Releasing Public Records After Reversal of Previous Layoffs

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reversed previous job cuts by rehiring some of its staff members who handle the release of public records, according to two employees. This move comes after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the FDA, executed a significant layoff effort earlier this year, part of a broader plan to reduce HHS workforce by 20,000 jobs. In late March, it was announced that approximately 10,000 employees across various agencies, including the FDA, CDC, NIH, and others, would be laid off—over a third of which (around 3,500) impacted FDA staff, severely affecting the agency's ability to process Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

The layoffs had a substantial impact, halting many operations related to the processing of public records requests for items such as FDA inspection reports, vaccine data, and other critical information. However, a recent notice from the FDA indicated that some of these layoffs were rescinded, and affected employees were told to return to work immediately. According to employees and reviewed documents, the notice did not specify the reasons for reinstatement, but some officials indicated the roles were deemed "mission critical."

Despite the reinstatements, the agency still faces challenges in meeting court-ordered deadlines for document production—an issue that has led to ongoing litigation and criticism from oversight figures. The FOIA is a vital legal tool that ensures transparency, holding federal agencies accountable by providing public access to government records about food safety, medical devices, drugs, and more.

The FDA's decision to bring back some FOIA staff aligns with statements by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who promised to restore all FOIA offices, emphasizing the importance of transparency. The broader impact of the layoffs included legal actions from advocacy groups and congressional pushback, highlighting concerns that the agency's transparency functions were being undermined. As of early May, some FAO staff remain reinstated, while others await further action. The agency is under court orders to complete the release of certain documents by June 30, 2025.

This development underscores the ongoing debate over transparency, government accountability, and the staffing priorities within federal health agencies.