BREAKING NEWS

» Call us cautiously optimistic. A step toward stability? Atlanta health professionals react to CDC nomination. | Atlanta Journal-Constitution

» The only question for the new CDC Director nominee: Is she Marco or Monarez? | Inside Medicine Substack

» "’Nobody in the agency wants to cut these programs,’ Kennedy said.” Sure, dude. RFK: Cuts at HHS haven’t led to problems, but we’re hiring 12,000 new employees | Government Executive

» US CDC will not publish report showing COVID vaccine effectiveness | Reuters

» This should end well. Flu vaccine requirement discarded ‘effective immediately,’ Hegseth says | Military Times

» ASTHO Statement on Appointment of Texas Commissioner Jennifer Shuford, MD, MPH, as CDC Deputy Director | ASTHO

» HIV prevention matters. PERIOD. HIV treatment saved Georgia over $100 billion, study finds | RoughDraft Atlanta

Welcome to the 58th issue of Fired But Fighting, a newsletter for illegally terminated, improperly RIF’d, chaotically reinstated, and current HHS staff. Read on for judicial and advocacy updates, links to media coverage, calls to action, tips, and resources.

Please consider supporting us by making a donation, grabbing some FBF merch (www.firedbutfighting.org/shop), or signing up to volunteer. You can also check out the FBF Talent Marketplace to support a fired fed.

Visit www.firedbutfighting.org/newsletter-library to read this and previous issues of the newsletter on the web.

LEGAL UPDATES

» The White House released the FY2027 budget proposal on April 3. Similar to the FY2026 proposal, the FY2027 budget proposes the establishment of AHA, significant cuts to CDC’s overall funding, and the elimination of several NIH centers. However, Congress has the power of the purse as long as the Constitution holds. This week's legal update includes details on the proposed budget, as well as updates on HHS RIF MSPB appeals, information on applying for open positions via RPL or CTAP, and the status of federal lawsuits challenging the RIFs and probie firings.

Read the full legal update here.

CALLS TO ACTION

» On April 25, join a nationwide day of action to oppose the Trump administration's expansion of ICE warehouse detention and attacks on the due process rights of immigrants and all Americans. Sign up here.

» Comment needed: OPM wants agencies to prioritize employees’ performance over tenure during RIFs. In combination with other recent efforts to change federal processes, this proposed rule could contribute to the arbitrary firings of more federal staff. Read more and comment by May 4.

» Get ready to vote with some resources we’ve compiled:

Everything You Need to Vote - Vote.org: Make sure you’re registered, see what’s on your ballot, find your polling place, etc.
Make sure you never miss another election or polling pace change by registering at the nonpartisan TurboVote.
Sign up to be a poll observer and help ACLU Georgia and partners protect voters against intimidation and violation of their rights.
Have you ever considered serving as a poll worker? Did you know that this is one “side hustle” that doesn’t require EPATS approval for feds? Work Elections Project: Learn How to Become a Poll Worker.

» May Day Strike: Participate in the May Day Strike on May 1. BUT if you’re a federal worker, use leave because it is illegal to strike. More details: May Day Strong: No Work, No School, No Shopping | Indivisible

» Volunteer with Fired But Fighting: Looking for ways to channel your rage? Sign up to volunteer.

EVENTS

**(Un)Happy Hour**

» **Thursday** **Apr 23, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm:**
Three Taverns Brewery in Decatur

» Don’t forget to keep an eye on FBF’s events page for updates between newsletters.

UNION CORNER

» The election for L2883 officers is underway. Ballots will be mailed out to all members via snail mail this week. Now is your chance to make your voice heard.

» Our L2883 website has a fresh new look. We’ve cleaned up the website and added a new members-only section where you can access information just for L2883 members. All the important guidance and information you’ve come to rely on are also still there, including the Request for Representation form. Check it out and create your account today.

» If you have RA-specific questions or would like to help us support your colleagues in the disability community, please email us at ra@afge2883ga.org.

» If you’re not already a member, sign up to join the fight now. As a reminder, all job series (including supervisors) are eligible to join. The only exception is commissioned corps officers.https://join.afge.org/L2883

CDC MUTUAL AID

🎉Celebrating Two Big Wins From Our Community 🎉

» Deb Houry Birthday Fundraiser: $4,055 Raised for the CDC Mutual Aid Fund. Thanks to your generosity, we raised $4,055, providing direct support to approximately 4 families in need. A note from Deb Houry: “I wanted to take a moment to thank you for supporting the CDC Mutual Aid Fund for my birthday. Your generosity means more than I can fully capture in a note like this.” Your contributions made a real impact, and we’re grateful for every single one of you.

» Beltline Scavenger Hunt: A Huge Success. Thank you to everyone who joined us on April 11 for our Beltline Scavenger Hunt. Teams had a blast, and the energy was incredible. We’re already planning the next one for this fall. If you’d like to participate, click here to add your name and email. We’ll reach out directly once registration opens.

» Check out our store: Remember that every purchase directly supports our mission and helps us continue making a difference. https://cdc-mutual-aid-network.printful.me/

» Follow CDC Mutual Aid Network on social media:

WEEKLY 27 UNIHTED

» Every Saturday: Vigil commemorating the lives and knowledge lost through NIH cuts.

future of public health funding for behavioral health sciences — **The Future of Public Research Funding for Behavioral Sciences**

» Join a conversation with the Bethesda Declaration signers on April 25 at the Harold Washington Library Center. Download the flyer for details.

» **Fed Workers Coffee Hour**

Every Thursday of each month through October 2026. Download the flyer.

» Please follow and share 27 uNIHted’s Instagram account.

THE WEEKLY NEEDLE

» The Weekly Needle is America’s most trusted news source for all things health and medicine. Enjoy our most recent story:

» DoW Hegseth Cancels “Absurd” Washing Hands After Making a Giant Mud Pie Requirement for “Brave Hunky Warriors” in Military. - American service members will no longer be required to wash their hands after making a “giant dookie, giant mud pie, and a post-hangover poop run” under a new Defense Department policy described by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as an effort to “restore freedom and strength to our joint force.”

» Please consider becoming a subscriber by following the link here. Interested in contributing? Email us at theweeklyneedle@proton.me.

SPOON OF THE WEEK

» This week’s Spoon goes to the creator of the Instagram reel celebrating the departure of Dolores Umbridge, er, Lynda Chapman from CDC. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Lynda 😈

» To submit a spoon for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org.

CAREER CORNER

» Check out this week’s Career Corner for upcoming events and resources. There are lots of events coming up including many job fairs, some great Pathways Forward webinars aimed at focusing your career, and a federal benefits webinar.

» Join the Opportunities for Former HHS Staff and follow Fired But Fighting on LinkedIn to stay current on career-related events.

SELF CARE

» Love classic trucks? C10s in the City is a free GM truck show taking place in Summerhill ATL on May 2 from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Learn more at www.c10sinthecity.com.

» Check out these upcoming plant sales in the Atlanta area. Hosted by seedatlanta and the City of Peachtree Corners.

» Can Chatbots Really Relieve Loneliness? Notsomuch, apparently. Come out and meet your fellow Spoons at an event instead. | Greater Good

» Wanna get away? Like, say, in a galaxy far, far away? Or maybe via TARDIS? Check out Stellarfest for all things Space + Doctor WHO (April 24-26 in Duluth, GA).