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Republican Senate Candidates Avoid Tariffs and Iran War at Trump’s Convention
Four battleground Senate nominees who spoke sidestepped a pair of issues that have posed political challenges, focusing instead on Mr. Trump’s tax law and other topics.
Trump makes stunning first-of-its-kind cash promise in bid to rally GOP voters at Dallas midterm convention
President Donald Trump promised a $5,000 "Trump dividend" to every adult citizen if Republicans keep Congress at the GOP midterm convention.
Trump tries to energize his base by placing himself front and center: ‘I’m on the ballot’:
Trump spoke on the first night of the convention in Dallas, where he also promised — without specifics — that Americans would receive dividend checks if Republicans keep Congress.
In pictures: The first-ever Republican midterm convention
Republicans are gathering in Dallas for an unusual 2026 GOP midterm convention, an event backed by President Donald Trump and designed to energize voters, raise money and highlight key Republican candidates ahead of the elections in November.
The Latest: Trump highlights his own record at midterm Republican convention
Republicans are gathering in Dallas for a unique two-day midterm convention, focusing on President Donald Trump. Trump plans to speak both nights and Vice President JD Vance will also address
Republicans wrap up night one of midterm convention in Dallas
Republicans wrapped up night one of their midterm political convention as large crowds filled the American Airlines Center.
Republican convention security in Dallas affects businesses, residents
Iowa’s 2026 races put political identity to the test
For the past decade, Iowa has consistently leaned republican, with the GOP holding majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. But as the 2026 midterms approach, the state’s top races for governor and U.S. Senate are becoming more competitive. According to reporting by Cook Politics Report, a nonpartisan political analyst, the governor’s race “leans...
Reince Priebus: This is all about data, science and turnout
'All-Star' panelists discuss the Republican Party's efforts to win over voters ahead of the midterm elections on 'Special Report.'
‘Trump-a-palooza’ aims to energize Republican base
Republicans gathered Wednesday night in Dallas for the first-ever Republican midterm convention, an event designed to energize voters, raise money and highlight key Republican candidates ahead of the November election. CNN’s Alayna Treene takes us through the key moments.
Pritzker joins Texas Democrats in rebuttal of Dallas Republican Convention
Illinois’s governor called out Republican leaders and President Trump for holding their Dallas midterm convention despite everyday Americans struggling.
Closing health workforce gaps for emergency response: the Western Pacific steps up
Over 100 health emergency experts from 56 institutions across 21 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region who are part of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) concluded their annual regional partners’ meeting with a commitment to bridge gaps in emergency workforce capacities and advance regional emergency readiness and resilience.Co-hosted by WHO and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in the Republic of Korea, the two-day event aimed to strengthen the Region’s collective ability to detect, prepare for and respond to health emergencies.Partners mapped capacities and priority technical gaps across the Region — including cybersecurity and critical infrastructure resilience; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and environmental health; biological emergencies, nuclear emergencies, and nuclear and radiological security.The result: a renewed commitment to close these gaps by working together through shared expertise and coordinated action. Advancing the Global Health Emergency CorpsReflective of regional solidarity and partnerships in action, GOARN – which is coordinated globally by WHO - enables a stronger, better-connected emergency health workforce that is ready to surge wherever and whenever requested by WHO Member States.This year alone, GOARN partners across the Western Pacific have supported nine experts on six missions - from measles outbreaks in Viet Nam to HIV outbreak response in Fiji - providing surge support in epidemiology, surveillance and clinical case management.Photo: Participants at the Global Alert and Response Network (GOARN) Partners Meeting 2026. Credit: KDCA/Shin Dong Myoung“GOARN partners across the Western Pacific and globally have repeatedly demonstrated the power of what we can do collectively, when we join forces, share expertise and build on each other’s strengths,” noted Dr Gina Samaan, WHO Regional Emergency Director for the Western Pacific, in her opening remarks at the gathering. “Let us continue to forge long-term partnerships grounded in mutual respect that will protect the Region for generations to come. We are smarter, faster and infinitely stronger when we work together,” she added.Reiterating Dr Samaan's call, Dr Seung-kwan Lim, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, emphasized the value of GOARN: “The Republic of Korea is pleased to stand alongside our regional partners in building an emergency workforce that is ready and resilient. GOARN turns national expertise into regional readiness - catalysing national strengths into collective resilience.”GOARN advances the Global Health Security Action Framework (GHEC) initiative by “convening, connecting and capacitating” regional leaders and surge workforce – “the three Cs”. Years of GOARN leadership and outbreak response training programmes have cultivated a deep bench of fit-for-purpose, seasoned outbreak response experts and forged an alumni network of emergency leaders worldwide. The Western Pacific network alone has now grown to 94 partner institutions across 19 countries. Photo: Participants at the Global Alert and Response Network (GOARN) Partners Meeting 2026. Credit: KDCA/Shin Dong Myoung Putting partnerships into practiceDuring the Regional Partners’ Meeting, health experts identified and catalogued the technical expertise currently available across the Western Pacific Region, so that the right skills could be better matched quickly to needs wherever emergencies occur.Three priority areas emerged for further strengthening:Cybersecurity and critical infrastructure resilience - protecting essential systems, including healthcare networks, from digital disruptions.Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and environmental health - reflecting the ongoing nexus between climate change and health.Biological emergencies, nuclear emergencies, and nuclear and radiological security - requiring specialized technical capability that remains limited across many national response systems.Meeting participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening workforce capacities in the Region, with a particular focus on these three areas, and to working collectively to better prepare the Western Pacific for the next health emergency.Photo: Dr Gina Samaan, WHO Regional Emergency Director for the Western Pacific, delivers opening remarks at the Global Alert and Response Network (GOARN) Partners Meeting 2026. Credit: KDCA/Shin Dong Myoung“GOARN is truly turning preparedness into action - giving our Region the surge capacity it needs for fast, coordinated response when it matters most - and building more resilient health systems along the way,” said Dr Samaan. “As health emergencies mount in this age of permacrisis, emergency preparedness and response must be woven into the fabric of health. This is not an option, but an imperative as we seek to achieve health for all.”____ About GOARNThe Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), coordinated by the World Health Organization since 2000, strengthens global health security by advancing preparedness for and response to public health emergencies. The network brings together more than 390 institutions, including national public health agencies, technical organizations and nongovernmental partners, to support coordinated international action during outbreaks and other health emergencies. There are 94 GOARN partners in the Western Pacific Region (as of August 2026), accounting for approximately 25% of global partners. For more information and media interviews, please contact: WHO Western Pacific Communications: wprocom@who.intAra Johannes: johannesa@who.int
Politics or NFL? Trump’s Dallas rally conflicts with season opener
President Donald Trump’s Republican midterm convention in Dallas has competition Wednesday night: the NFL season opener.
Fact-checking the Republican midterm convention night 1
Some of the speakers at the Republican midterm convention on Wednesday made false or misleading claims.
Fact-checking the Republican midterm convention night 1
(CNN) — Some of the speakers at the Republican midterm convention on Wednesday made false or misleading claims.
Election 2026 Republicans
A video featuring Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., plays at the Republican convention Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Sen. John Fetterman makes a surprise cameo praising Republicans at the GOP convention
The Democratic senator appeared on video promoting the efforts of President Donald Trump and Sen. Dave McCormick in shaping the U.S. Steel deal with Nippon Steel.
WATCH: Trump says oil prices will come down after midterm elections
President Donald Trump, in an exchange with reporters before traveling to Dallas for the midterm Republican convention, added that he believes Iran will finally relent after the pivotal elections are held in the U.S.
WATCH: Democrats say Trump's 'bizarre' convention is a distraction from his faltering presidency
Missouri redistricting chaos returns to US Supreme Court
A fast-moving legal battle over Missouri’s effort to eke an additional Republican seat out of its congressional map for this year’s midterm election returned to the US Supreme Court on Wednesday, a day after Justice Brett Kavanaugh had effectively rejected the same proposed map.
‘Trumpapalooza’ and another primary night: From the Politics Desk
Plus, a lingering 9/11 lesson, 25 years later.
Bessent’s political turn in GOP speech tests his bond-market credibility
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's planned Republican convention speech in Dallas is raising questions about how politics could affect market confidence in him.
Live fact check: Night 1 of the Republican Midterm Convention
President Donald Trump will appear at an unconventional national convention thrown by the Republican Party Wednesday night in Dallas.
Trump’s Convention Offers an Unusual Fund-Raising Opportunity for Republicans
Republicans are hoping to use the Dallas extravaganza as a fund-raising opportunity, with some local parties charging as much as $20,000 to be an “honorary delegate.”
N.C. Works to Increase Awareness of 988 Mental Health Hotline
Since its launch in 2022, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has handled more than 26 million calls, but studies show 70 percent of Americans haven’t heard of the number. North Carolina is hoping to change that.
Republicans gather in Dallas for two-day midterm convention billed as 'Trump-a-Palooza'
The highly unusual midterm convention puts President Donald Trump at the center of this fall’s midterm elections — whether the candidates running like it or not.
Why Trump’s Republican Midterm ‘Convention’ Isn’t a Real Convention
No nominations or formal party business will be happening, as they would at a traditional presidential convention. But the made-for-TV speeches will look much the same.
Republicans suffered a stunning Supreme Court loss. It lasted minutes.
What the hell is going on with Missouri’s congressional election?
The Latest: Republicans gathering for 'Trump-a-palooza' convention in Dallas
Republicans are gathering in Dallas on Wednesday for a highly unusual midterm convention, a “Trump-a-Palooza” that will put Trump at the center of this fall’s midterm elections — whether the
WA’s 26th Legislative District House race tests its political shift
The race for an open House seat in Washington's 26th Legislative District could test whether the district recent shift toward Democrats is enough to flip a seat Republicans have long held.
Republican lawmakers criticize Ford business ties to China
WASHINGTON, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Republicans in Congress on Wednesday joined criticism of Ford Motor over its business ties to Chinese firms after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sharply criticized the No. 2 U.S. automaker. Republican Senator R...
Republican lawmakers criticize Ford business ties to China
Republicans in Congress on Wednesday joined criticism of Ford Motor over its business ties to Chinese firms after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sharply criticized the No. 2 U.S. automaker.
Lawmakers question ties between Freedom 250 and Trump campaign
Lawmakers are questioning whether Republican groups used personal information collected at Freedom 250 events to build political contact lists.
The Latest: Republicans gathering for 'Trump-a-palooza' convention in Dallas
Republicans are gathering in Dallas on Wednesday for a highly unusual midterm convention, a “Trump-a-Palooza” that will put Trump at the center of this fall’s midterm elections — whether the
NPR reporter explains what to expect on the first day of Dallas' Republican midterm convention
NPR political reporter Stephen Fowler explains what he's looking out for and what to expect from Ken Paxton, who's running for U.S. Senate and will speak at the convention Wednesday.
With Sununu vs. Pappas, familiar names will compete in New Hampshire Senate race
Republican John E. Sununu, a former U.S. senator, and Democrat Chris Pappas, a member of the U.S. House, are vying to replace U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, whose decision not to seek reelection created a cascade of competitive races.
What are you going to watch tonight, football or politics?
The NFL's first game of the season and the Republican Party's first-ever midterm convention vie for viewership.
Republicans hold first-ever midterm convention in Dallas this week
Republicans are holding a first-ever midterm convention in Dallas this week, with some in the party skipping the event.
Why Texas Republican donors give — and why the state matters to GOP fundraising
As the Republican National Committee gathers in Dallas, Republican donors and political experts explain why Texas raises so much money.
Republicans gather in Dallas for 2-day midterm convention
The schedule this week released by organizers makes clear that the convention will be the Trump Show, through and through.
The Cost of Cutting American Science: How Federal Cuts Diminish Public Health Capacity
Among the federal government’s many responsibilities is the work it does to protect public health. Federal agencies monitor our food supply to ensure safety, conduct research to better understand emerging health threats, provide funding for public health programs in communities and work to detect and respond to disease outbreaks. Americans rely on these efforts every day—in a 2024 online survey, 74% of respondents said that “if the federal government issued safety guidance about food you eat regularly,” they would follow it. Changes to Federal Public Health Capacity The Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the federal government have resulted in significant impacts on our nation’s public health capacity over the past 20 months, affecting the response to health concerns such as measles, Ebola and cyclosporiasis. Agencies with core public health, food safety and disease prevention responsibilities experienced large workforce decreases during the first year of the administration. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for instance, the workforce in February 2026 was 26.7% smaller than in September 2024 before the start of the Trump administration. The Food and Drug Administration saw a similarly steep decline of 21.6%. Agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Food Safety and Inspection Service also experienced large workforce decreases. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); Changes can also be seen in crucial public health occupations. The number of federal food inspectors, for example, decreased by more than half between September 2024 and February 2026, going from 1,035 to 473. This is the lowest number of food inspectors employed by the federal government since at least 2005. By February 2026, there were also 33.3% fewer federal public health program specialists, whose work includes advising federal funding recipients on public health activities and analyzing the effectiveness of public health programs. Government’s capacity is diminished as employees with specialized knowledge and experience in protecting the public and responding to health risks depart, leaving agencies less prepared to carry out their public health missions. There also have been vacancies in critical high-level leadership positions at public health agencies, most notably at the CDC, which had a permanent Senate-confirmed director for less than a month between January 2025 and early August 2026. Although the CDC has previously been led by acting directors at the start of an administration, the nearly yearlong gap since the departure of the administration’s first permanent director in August 2025 is without precedent. As of August 2026, the FDA is also currently without a Senate-confirmed commissioner following the previous commissioner’s resignation in May 2026. Additionally, public health agencies are experiencing increased politicization of their leadership ranks. In agencies such as the CDC and Food Safety and Inspection Service, the number of individuals in the Senior Executive Service—the most senior career leaders in government—has declined significantly, while at the same time the number of political appointees has reached record levels. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); At the CDC, for example, the number of career SES decreased 42.9% between December 2024 and February 2026, while the number of non-Senate confirmed political appointees at the agency was six times larger than the agency’s historical average from 2009 and 2024. Knowledgeable career leaders are integral to the ability of public health agencies to carry out their work with scientific integrity and professional judgment, and rapid leadership turnover and increased politicization threaten agencies’ ability to make evidence-based decisions to protect our health. The upheaval and politicization in public health agencies have also negatively affected employee engagement. Strong employee engagement is crucial to the ability of agencies to carry out their mission and successfully provide essential services to the public. In the 2025 Public Service Viewpoint Survey conducted by the Partnership for Public Service, the Department of Health and Human Services—which encompasses major public health agencies such as the CDC and FDA—had an employee engagement and satisfaction score of 20.4 out of 100, one of the lowest among large agencies. Only 2.8% of HHS employees indicated trust in their political leaders and only 8.7% reported confidence that they could report a suspected violation of law or regulation without retaliation. Employees at HHS also reported that the agency’s ability to provide services to the public had suffered. Nearly half of employees at HHS, 47.5%, said their work unit was worse at delivering quality services compared to its performance in 2024. In addition, 57.8% said their work unit was performing worse at fulfilling stakeholder needs. In addition to the work done within federal agencies, the federal government also distributes significant funding for public health and disease prevention work to state and local governments, nonprofits and small businesses—funding which has been significantly disrupted. At the CDC, for example, there was a 71.9% decrease in the amount of project grant funding issued in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2024. The FDA also issued far less funding in fiscal year 2025—a 21.3% decrease from its fiscal year 2024 funding. Changes in federal funding include the ending of grants to community organizations that worked on HIV prevention and the cancellation of funding for research into improvements to patient safety and healthcare quality. These changes go beyond federal agencies to impact the broader public health ecosystem, including the state and local health departments responsible for much of the on-the-ground public health work in their communities. About 80% of the CDC’s domestic funding is directed towards state and local partners—meaning that cuts to CDC funding can ultimately result in cuts to state and local public health capacity. Federal agencies also provide expertise and assistance to state and local health agencies as they deal with particular health challenges, but workforce cuts have resulted in fewer federal employees available to help. The Impact of Changes to Public Health Capacity These changes to federal public health capacity are not abstract concerns. Disrupted programs, reduced funding and lost expertise at public health agencies across all levels of government threaten the public’s physical well-being and safety. In some cases, this has already led to harm. The most immediate impacts of federal cuts were seen in interruptions to ongoing public health programs and crisis responses. In one instance, when CDC grants were canceled during the 2025 Texas measles outbreak—the most severe measles outbreak in 25 years—public health officials in Lubbock, Texas were forced to pause parts of their measles response work supported by the frozen funding. Lubbock’s director of public health further said that a lack of available CDC experts to reach out to for advice “definitely” impacted the department’s response to the measles crisis. Cuts to federal funding also forced Dallas County Health and Human Services to cut staff and cancel 50 community vaccination clinics during the outbreak. Public health work outside of major outbreak responses was also disrupted. For example, in April 2025, the Milwaukee Public Health Department was unexpectedly unable to reach experts on lead poisoning due to firings at the CDC when responding to concerns about lead contamination in Milwaukee public schools. Due to federal workforce cuts, several programs at the CDC, including Alzheimer’s and epilepsy programs, have also become trapped in limbo—existing on paper, but without the staff necessary to operate. More recent crises reveal how federal cuts have weakened the public health infrastructure needed to prevent and respond to dangerous new outbreaks. Internationally, cuts at the U.S. Agency for International Development eliminated funding for disease testing and contact tracing abroad, which delayed detection of and responses to the 2026 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While international outbreaks may seem far removed, the unchecked spread of disease in any country can quickly pose a danger to economic well-being, security and health around the world. Within the United States, public health cuts inhibited responses to the summer 2026 outbreak of the food-borne parasite cyclospora. At the federal level, cuts to funding for lab equipment and for CDC staff with expertise in parasitic infections—including 9 out of 11 staff members at the lab responsible for identifying parasitic outbreaks in 2025— contributed to the largest reporting delay in outbreak cases at the CDC in 15 years. Conflicting communications from the FDA about the source of the outbreak, which followed cuts to the agency’s communications department, additionally led to confusion among the public about how to best avoid infection. At the same time, cuts to HHS funding and support for local and state public health slowed some health departments’ responses to the crisis. The exact costs of these delays, constraints and confusion in public health responses are difficult to estimate. However, their message is clear: federal cuts have already made containing threats to public health even more of a challenge. Conclusion Protecting public health—from food safety to disease prevention—is one of the federal government’s most important missions. Dramatic and haphazard cuts to federal agencies and funding have already disrupted the public health system, impacting the response to challenges such as measles, lead poisoning and cyclosporiasis. The U.S. public health system needed improvement before these disruptions. Since 2022, federal leadership and coordination in response to public health outbreaks has been on the Government Accountability Office’s High-Risk List of areas in need of attention to improve government effectiveness and efficiency. Recent cuts only compound these concerns. The chaotic dismantling of government and resulting disruptions to crucial functions like public health and disease prevention highlight the need for meaningful reform and concrete policy proposals to reimagine how government can better serve the public and be more effective, responsive and accountable. To learn more about the impact of federal cuts to public health and science more broadly, visit The Cost of Cutting American Science. Learn more For more information on the Partnership for Public Service’s government reform initiative, visit Government for a New Era. View here In line with The Cost of Cutting American Science, federal workforce data in this brief is as of February 2026
The Cost of Cutting American Science: How Federal Cuts Diminish Public Health Capacity
Among the federal government’s many responsibilities is the work it does to protect public health. Federal agencies monitor our food supply to ensure safety, conduct research to better understand emerging health threats, provide funding for public health programs in communities and work to detect and respond to disease outbreaks. Americans rely on these efforts every day—in a 2024 online survey, 74% of respondents said that “if the federal government issued safety guidance about food you eat regularly,” they would follow it. Changes to Federal Public Health Capacity The Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the federal government have resulted in significant impacts on our nation’s public health capacity over the past 20 months, affecting the response to health concerns such as measles, Ebola and cyclosporiasis. Agencies with core public health, food safety and disease prevention responsibilities experienced large workforce decreases during the first year of the administration. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for instance, the workforce in February 2026 was 26.7% smaller than in September 2024 before the start of the Trump administration. The Food and Drug Administration saw a similarly steep decline of 21.6%. Agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Food Safety and Inspection Service also experienced large workforce decreases. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); Changes can also be seen in crucial public health occupations. The number of federal food inspectors, for example, decreased by more than half between September 2024 and February 2026, going from 1,035 to 473. This is the lowest number of food inspectors employed by the federal government since at least 2005. By February 2026, there were also 33.3% fewer federal public health program specialists, whose work includes advising federal funding recipients on public health activities and analyzing the effectiveness of public health programs. Government’s capacity is diminished as employees with specialized knowledge and experience in protecting the public and responding to health risks depart, leaving agencies less prepared to carry out their public health missions. There also have been vacancies in critical high-level leadership positions at public health agencies, most notably at the CDC, which had a permanent Senate-confirmed director for less than a month between January 2025 and early August 2026. Although the CDC has previously been led by acting directors at the start of an administration, the nearly yearlong gap since the departure of the administration’s first permanent director in August 2025 is without precedent. As of August 2026, the FDA is also currently without a Senate-confirmed commissioner following the previous commissioner’s resignation in May 2026. Additionally, public health agencies are experiencing increased politicization of their leadership ranks. In agencies such as the CDC and Food Safety and Inspection Service, the number of individuals in the Senior Executive Service—the most senior career leaders in government—has declined significantly, while at the same time the number of political appointees has reached record levels. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); At the CDC, for example, the number of career SES decreased 42.9% between December 2024 and February 2026, while the number of non-Senate confirmed political appointees at the agency was six times larger than the agency’s historical average from 2009 and 2024. Knowledgeable career leaders are integral to the ability of public health agencies to carry out their work with scientific integrity and professional judgment, and rapid leadership turnover and increased politicization threaten agencies’ ability to make evidence-based decisions to protect our health. The upheaval and politicization in public health agencies have also negatively affected employee engagement. Strong employee engagement is crucial to the ability of agencies to carry out their mission and successfully provide essential services to the public. In the 2025 Public Service Viewpoint Survey conducted by the Partnership for Public Service, the Department of Health and Human Services—which encompasses major public health agencies such as the CDC and FDA—had an employee engagement and satisfaction score of 20.4 out of 100, one of the lowest among large agencies. Only 2.8% of HHS employees indicated trust in their political leaders and only 8.7% reported confidence that they could report a suspected violation of law or regulation without retaliation. Employees at HHS also reported that the agency’s ability to provide services to the public had suffered. Nearly half of employees at HHS, 47.5%, said their work unit was worse at delivering quality services compared to its performance in 2024. In addition, 57.8% said their work unit was performing worse at fulfilling stakeholder needs. In addition to the work done within federal agencies, the federal government also distributes significant funding for public health and disease prevention work to state and local governments, nonprofits and small businesses—funding which has been significantly disrupted. At the CDC, for example, there was a 71.9% decrease in the amount of project grant funding issued in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2024. The FDA also issued far less funding in fiscal year 2025—a 21.3% decrease from its fiscal year 2024 funding. Changes in federal funding include the ending of grants to community organizations that worked on HIV prevention and the cancellation of funding for research into improvements to patient safety and healthcare quality. These changes go beyond federal agencies to impact the broader public health ecosystem, including the state and local health departments responsible for much of the on-the-ground public health work in their communities. About 80% of the CDC’s domestic funding is directed towards state and local partners—meaning that cuts to CDC funding can ultimately result in cuts to state and local public health capacity. Federal agencies also provide expertise and assistance to state and local health agencies as they deal with particular health challenges, but workforce cuts have resulted in fewer federal employees available to help. The Impact of Changes to Public Health Capacity These changes to federal public health capacity are not abstract concerns. Disrupted programs, reduced funding and lost expertise at public health agencies across all levels of government threaten the public’s physical well-being and safety. In some cases, this has already led to harm. The most immediate impacts of federal cuts were seen in interruptions to ongoing public health programs and crisis responses. In one instance, when CDC grants were canceled during the 2025 Texas measles outbreak—the most severe measles outbreak in 25 years—public health officials in Lubbock, Texas were forced to pause parts of their measles response work supported by the frozen funding. Lubbock’s director of public health further said that a lack of available CDC experts to reach out to for advice “definitely” impacted the department’s response to the measles crisis. Cuts to federal funding also forced Dallas County Health and Human Services to cut staff and cancel 50 community vaccination clinics during the outbreak. Public health work outside of major outbreak responses was also disrupted. For example, in April 2025, the Milwaukee Public Health Department was unexpectedly unable to reach experts on lead poisoning due to firings at the CDC when responding to concerns about lead contamination in Milwaukee public schools. Due to federal workforce cuts, several programs at the CDC, including Alzheimer’s and epilepsy programs, have also become trapped in limbo—existing on paper, but without the staff necessary to operate. More recent crises reveal how federal cuts have weakened the public health infrastructure needed to prevent and respond to dangerous new outbreaks. Internationally, cuts at the U.S. Agency for International Development eliminated funding for disease testing and contact tracing abroad, which delayed detection of and responses to the 2026 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While international outbreaks may seem far removed, the unchecked spread of disease in any country can quickly pose a danger to economic well-being, security and health around the world. Within the United States, public health cuts inhibited responses to the summer 2026 outbreak of the food-borne parasite cyclospora. At the federal level, cuts to funding for lab equipment and for CDC staff with expertise in parasitic infections—including 9 out of 11 staff members at the lab responsible for identifying parasitic outbreaks in 2025— contributed to the largest reporting delay in outbreak cases at the CDC in 15 years. Conflicting communications from the FDA about the source of the outbreak, which followed cuts to the agency’s communications department, additionally led to confusion among the public about how to best avoid infection. At the same time, cuts to HHS funding and support for local and state public health slowed some health departments’ responses to the crisis. The exact costs of these delays, constraints and confusion in public health responses are difficult to estimate. However, their message is clear: federal cuts have already made containing threats to public health even more of a challenge. Conclusion Protecting public health—from food safety to disease prevention—is one of the federal government’s most important missions. Dramatic and haphazard cuts to federal agencies and funding have already disrupted the public health system, impacting the response to challenges such as measles, lead poisoning and cyclosporiasis. The U.S. public health system needed improvement before these disruptions. Since 2022, federal leadership and coordination in response to public health outbreaks has been on the Government Accountability Office’s High-Risk List of areas in need of attention to improve government effectiveness and efficiency. Recent cuts only compound these concerns. The chaotic dismantling of government and resulting disruptions to crucial functions like public health and disease prevention highlight the need for meaningful reform and concrete policy proposals to reimagine how government can better serve the public and be more effective, responsive and accountable. To learn more about the impact of federal cuts to public health and science more broadly, visit The Cost of Cutting American Science. Learn more For more information on the Partnership for Public Service’s government reform initiative, visit Government for a New Era. View here In line with The Cost of Cutting American Science, federal workforce data in this brief is as of February 2026
Sununu to face Pappas in New Hampshire Senate race
Also, Stefany Shaheen won a close primary and will face Republican Anthony DiLorenzo in the race to fill Pappas' open congressional seat
Capitol agenda: Will Schumer go long for college sports? - Live Updates
Schumer must decide if he wants to steer his members toward helping Republicans reach the 60-vote threshold on what could be the sweepiest bill the chamber passes before the midterms.
Collins not heading to Dallas GOP convention
While speaking to reporters in Brewer on Tuesday, Collins said many of the Republicans facing tough races will not be in attendance.
Trump’s Super PAC Is Tied to Mystery Group Spending $25 Million on Midterms
The recently created Republican group is pumping cash into half a dozen key midterm races, with the largest amounts going toward Senate contests in New Hampshire and Alaska.
Republicans tie midterm hopes to Trump at Dallas convention despite political risks
Many Republicans in competitive House and Senate races are skipping the convention.
GOP's first midterm convention kicks off Wednesday, putting Dallas at center of national politics
The Republican Party's first-ever midterm convention begins in Dallas as Trump and GOP leaders rally voters, while Democrats prepare their own counterprogramming ahead of November.
Editorial | Black infant mortality rate is a public health crisis
Editorial: Despite a mortality rate three times higher than white infants, Republicans like Tom Tiffany have opposed efforts to address race-based inequities in healthcare.
Will Trump’s Midterm Convention Help or Hurt Republicans? 5 Things to Watch.
At an unusual gathering in Dallas, some of the party’s top candidates will be forced to decide just how tightly to tether themselves to an unpopular president.
The Republicans staying away from the ‘Trump-a-palooza’ convention
(CNN) — Republicans will gather in Dallas this week for a midterm convention that’s a version of the type normally held in presidential election years.
Republicans kick off a 'Trumpapalooza' of a midterm convention Wednesday in Texas
Republicans have never held a midterm convention before. But there's also never been a president like Donald Trump. Billed as a "Trumpapalooza," the unprecedented event kicks of in Dallas Wednesday.
This Governor Wants Republicans to Forgive Their Enemies
In his new book, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox explores what it will take to heal the division within American politics.
How Meta’s Billions for Teen Mental Health Can Make a Real Difference
Instead of repeating the mistakes they made with tobacco money, states should set clear goals — and measure outcomes through dashboards accessible to all — for programs addressing social media’s harms to teenagers.
Republicans hold first-ever midterm convention in Dallas
Republicans are making political history this week with the first-ever midterm convention.
Trump’s Ability to Channel Voter Concerns Is Tested as Republicans Gather in Dallas
As Republicans face down tough midterm elections, President Trump has appeared out of step with the party on Iran, the economy and other issues.
Meet the Lehigh Valley's newest political bosses
Northampton County Democratic Chair Baron Vanderburg and Lehigh County Republican Committee Chair George Rivera want to change the course of politics in the Lehigh Valley.
Pappas, Sununu sweep to victory in U.S. Senate primaries
Pappas, a four-term Democratic congressman, will face off against Republican and former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu.
Pappas, Sununu sweep to victory in U.S. Senate primaries
Pappas, a moderate Democrat and current Congressman in the 1st Congressional District, will face off against Republican and former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu.
Trump-Backed Auto Executive Wins House Primary in New Hampshire
Anthony DiLorenzo, an automotive executive who ran with the president’s endorsement, will be the Republican nominee in the First Congressional District.
John E. Sununu Wins Republican Senate Primary in New Hampshire
The general election race to replace Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, could help determine control of the U.S. Senate.
Chris Pappas Defeats Progressive Challenger in New Hampshire Senate Primary
Mr. Pappas, a moderate Democrat who has served four terms in the House, will face former Senator John E. Sununu, the Republican nominee, in November.
Rep. Chris Pappas will face former Sen. John E. Sununu in New Hampshire Senate race, CNN projects
Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas will face Republican former Sen. John E. Sununu in the race for New Hampshire’s open Senate seat, CNN’s Decision Desk projects.
What to watch as Republicans gather in Dallas for Trump's unusual midterm convention
Midterms are often difficult for the party in power in Washington, and Trump believes the event can juice enthusiasm for the party and boost turnout among his voters.
Incumbent GOP governor rolls to primary victory after keeping Trump at a distance
Kelly Ayotte cruised past Republican primary challengers, setting up a high-stakes New Hampshire governor's race against Democrat Cinde Warmington.
Supreme Court rejects Missouri's push to use new Republican-drawn U.S. House map in November
Missouri's new districts were used in the August primaries, but the Missouri Supreme Court ruled in September that the state must revert to districts adopted after the last census.
Dueling Court Rulings Leave Missouri’s Congressional Races in Chaos
After losing in two courts and winning in another, Missouri officials said they planned to forge ahead with using a congressional map that was redrawn to benefit Republicans.
What to watch in New Hampshire tonight: From the Politics Desk
Plus, Republicans revive a familiar playbook in Texas.
Supreme Court rejects Missouri Republicans’ request to use new congressional map
Republicans rushed to the high court after the Missouri Supreme Court ruled the state could not use the redrawn map, which was designed to eliminate one Democratic-held seat, this year.
Supreme Court rejects Missouri’s request to use congressional map with extra GOP seat
The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied Missouri’s request to use a congressional map for the November midterm election that would have given Republicans a chance to flip a seat, a rare setback for the GOP’s effort to keep control of the House next year by eking out an advantage from its political boundaries.
Control of State Senate up for grabs this November
Control of the Wisconsin Senate will hinge on key November races as Democrats seek two seats and Republicans push for a 2027 trifecta.
Arsenal youngster in international tug-of-war
Ceadach O’Neill’s international future remains unresolved, with Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland both still possible options for the Arsenal youngster.Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Imag...
Supreme Court rulings change the economics of political party spending
A Supreme Court ruling last week allowing political parties to continue accessing cheaper TV and radio advertising may give a boost to Republicans as campaigns
Supreme Court rulings change the economics of political party spending
A Supreme Court ruling last week allowing political parties to continue accessing cheaper TV and radio advertising may give a boost to Republicans as campaigns
Supreme Court rulings change the economics of political party spending
A Supreme Court ruling last week allowing political parties to continue accessing cheaper TV and radio advertising may give a boost to Republicans as campaigns
Supreme Court rulings change the economics of political party spending
A Supreme Court ruling last week allowing political parties to continue accessing cheaper TV and radio advertising may give a boost to Republicans as campaigns
Supreme Court rulings change the economics of political party spending
A Supreme Court ruling last week allowing political parties to continue accessing cheaper TV and radio advertising may give a boost to Republicans as campaigns
Supreme Court rulings change the economics of political party spending
A Supreme Court ruling last week allowing political parties to continue accessing cheaper TV and radio advertising may give a boost to Republicans as campaigns
Dunlap highlights high home heating oil prices in Maine
Dunlap, who faces former Republican Gov. Paul LePage on the Nov. 3 ballot, said Maine continues to be the state where more people rely on home heating oil than any other.
Berman campaign: “We’re going fishing” – ER nurse and Democrat Mitchell Berman launches first ad of general election in Wisconsin’s First District Congressional race
Spot features Berman fishing and focuses on ending corruption in Washington, contrasting Berman’s working class background and Republican Bryan Steil’s corporate special interests RAYMOND, Wis. — Today, Mitchell Berman, ER nurse and Democratic candidate for Wisconsin’s First Congressional District, launched...
Republicans were confident about keeping the Senate. Now the battle is wide open
Republicans appeared to have a firm grip on the majority at the start of the 2026 election cycle. But Democrats are now competing in states that once seemed well beyond their reach.
Pritzker, Eyeing 2028, to Help Midterm Democrats With a $20 Million Group
JB Pritzker, the billionaire governor of Illinois, is continuing to expand his national footprint, this time by using a new group to target Republicans in battleground races.
Business Briefcase: Community Day 2026 has Mahanoy’s attention
MAHANOY CITY — Train rides? Check. Scores of vendors? Check. Delicious food? Check. And even pierogie-eating competition? Double check. A highlight of the annual Mahanoy City Community Day celebration set for Sept. 12 will be a serious e…
Is Trump’s midterm convention a flop before the doors even open?
Trump says he wants to energize Republican candidates before the midterms. Dozens are keeping their distance anyway.
What to watch as Republicans gather in Dallas for Trump's unusual midterm convention
President Donald Trump and thousands are expected to arrive in Dallas this week. What to know about candidates, road closures and security
Republicans descend on Dallas for midterm convention
Dallas is hosting the GOP midterm convention this week.
Mackenzie, Bresnahan, McCormick To Speak at "Trumpapalooza" in Dallas
Pennsylvania will be well represented at the podium as the Republican Party holds a midterm national convention in Dallas on Wednesday and Thursday. A pair of GOP congressmen - Reps. Ryan Mackenzie (R-07) and Rob Bresnahan (R-08) - and Sen. Dave McCormick will be among the 109 officials, candidates and…
What to know about this week's Republican midterm convention
The two-night convention will kick off in Dallas on Wednesday
A ‘Trumpapalooza’ in 2026. Reagan in 1984. Two GOP conventions in Dallas, but times have changed
Dallas hosted the 1984 Republican National Convention and a GOP midterm convention is about to start. The city — and the politics — have changed a lot.
National GOP to feature Cunningham vs. Vasquez race at midterm convention
Overview: Vasquez criticizes Cunningham for appearing at event after Trump posted of renaming New Mexico "New America" President Donald Trump is headlining a first-ever “Midterm Convention” for the Republican Party this week in Dallas and at least one New Mexico candidate is on the announced agenda. This story was originally published at New Mexico Political […]
Court-appointed CHP leader says jailed Erdoğan rival is not a political prisoner
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, reinstated by a court as leader of Turkey’s Republican People’s Party (CHP), said Tuesday that jailed İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was not a political prisoner but signaled that the two politicians’ parties could cooperate if İmamoğlu can run for president. “He is not a political prisoner. He was not jailed because of his […]
NRCC adds 4 Republicans to MAGA Majority program
Casey Askar, Mike Beltran, Dan Green and Scott Singer all now have formal backing from the official political arm of House Republicans.
Ebola outbreak outpaces containment despite influx of money and supplies
Although the U.S. has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars and vaccine trials are underway, Ebola deaths continue to climb in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Steve Kornacki on a tightening Senate primary in New Hampshire
The open seat is a top target for national Republicans in November, though Democrats are currently favored.
How the political climate Andy Harris helped create has come for him
The far-right Republican leader has twice dodged redistricting attempts. He may not be so lucky a third time.
Can William Lawrence, a Progressive, Flip a Key Michigan House Seat?
William Lawrence, a progressive challenging a first-term Republican, is trying to rewrite the playbook for Democrats running in swing districts.