APA Calls for Transparency and Review in Agency Staffing Reductions

May 8, 2025

On May 8, 2025, APA led more than 75 organizations representing a broad coalition of scientific, research, public health and academic institutions in urging greater transparency in government agency staffing reductions and reorganizations. The coalition also urged rigorous congressional oversight of any RIF or reorganization plans and stressed the dangers of disruption to critical programs and delivery of critical services to the public. 

The call outlined in a letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the U.S. Senate Committees on Finance and on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, states:

“Without transparency, stakeholders vital to the scientific and health ecosystem, including researchers, scientists, public health professionals, healthcare providers, academic institutions, patient advocacy groups, and organizations dedicated to scientific integrity, are left unable to provide crucial feedback or prepare for potential disruptions.”

The letter also highlights the risks of large-scale personnel reductions, including the potential to:

• undermine long-term research projects, 
• interrupt essential public health detection monitoring and reporting, 
• damage our nation’s capacity to respond to health crises; and 
• jeopardize the scientific workforce pipeline.

Read the full letter here.