Congress restores CDC, FDA, and NIH funds cut by RFK Jr.

The bipartisan FY2026 Labor-HHS appropriations package signed by President Trump on February 3 fully funded CDC, NIH, and FDA at levels that reversed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s administrative cuts. The NIH budget was increased rather than cut, chronic disease and immunization programs at CDC were sustained, and dedicated LGBTQ+ youth services funding was restored. Senate appropriators from both parties described the bill as a rejection of HHS reorganization proposals Kennedy had advanced.