BREAKING NEWS

Giant headaches for HHS everywhere. Gee, we hope Emily and Andy-the-Fetus are doing OK.

» **looks up hypocrisy in dictionary** CDC Response to Ebola: Detaining Americans, 'Wild Misuse' of Power | Rolling Stone

» **double-checks the definition of hypocrisy** The Ordeal of a 42-Day Hantavirus Quarantine: ‘I Felt Like a Prisoner’ | The New York Times

» File under, “water is wet.” After returning to the office, federal employees report low productivity, morale | Federal News Network

» Words from Deb and Dan. CDC cuts leave US less prepared for disease outbreaks, former officials warn | US healthcare | The Guardian

» Barratt breaks it down. The CDC Has a Cyclospora Lab. DOGE Downsized It Last Year | WIRED

» Someone’s targeting the “blues.” RFK Jr pauses $1bn Medicaid funding to California and Minnesota | The Guardian

» Efficiency? Trump administration puts kibosh on HIV prevention funding | Roll Call

» Makes sense. CDC shifts HIV prevention funds away from groups tackling this work | Government Executive

» 1,700 H.I.V. Treatment Sites Closed After Trump Aid Cuts, a Study Finds | The New York Times

» Statement from HIVMA Reports of defunding of high-impact HIV prevention program would be a major setback to ending the epidemic

Welcome to the 71st 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), signing up to volunteer, or subscribing to the NationalPHC Substack. You can also check out the FBF Talent Marketplace to support a fired fed.

various Fired But Fighting button designs, including “I am le tired,” “Federal Disaster Team,” “Vaccines Cause Adults,” “CDC Saves Lives,” and “Saved by the Vax”

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

LEGAL UPDATES

» AFGE continues to use the original RIF lawsuit from last April to challenge the administration's ongoing assault on the civil service. While the case moves toward summary judgment of the complaint against the FEMA CORE firings, the union has filed a new complaint related to the USDA reorganization. It also won a discovery dispute over the Annual Staffing Plans that each agency had to send to OMB and OPM as a result of EO 14356 (a continuation of EO 14210). Just as EO 14210 ordered agencies to create and submit to OMB/OPM “Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans,” now EO 14356 orders agencies to create and submit to OMB/OPM “Annual Staffing Plans.” This will allow AFGE to gain visibility into any future plans to downsize. Meanwhile, the government continues to try to negotiate a settlement in the shutdown RIF lawsuit, and HHS continues to stonewall the NY AG's office on the administrative record.

Appeals in the MSPB are also still progressing. Discovery is open in several consolidations, and appeals filed by fired CDC employees appear to finally be moving. Fired But Fighting has a working group for pro se appellants from different HHS agencies. All members are vetted to ensure that everyone who participates has been subject to the HHS action. The group meets monthly to share information and work together to figure out how to file motions and manage discovery. There is also a shared library with resources that may be helpful for your appeal. Our next meeting is scheduled for August 11. If this is something you are interested in, please reach out to us at legal@firedbutfighting.org.

You can read the most recent legal update here.

CALLS TO ACTION

🚨 ACTION NEEDED BEFORE THURSDAY 7/23 VOTE

» If you oppose Dr. Schwartz's confirmation as CDC Director, now is the time to make your voice heard. Use this document to contact members of the Senate HELP Committee and urge them to vote NO on Dr. Schwartz's confirmation. The guide includes contact information and suggested talking points to make it quick and easy.

**Task Force on Homelessness**

Decatur residents: help shape your city’s response to homelessness by serving on the new Task Force on Homelessness. Details at the City of Decatur Instagram page or website.

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

EVENTS

**Mutation (Un) Happy Hour**

» Okay, okay. We heard you. We’re taking (un) happy hours OTP. Join us at Mutation Brewing in Sandy Springs on August 2. 🍻

**Reinstate Pluto (Un) Happy Hour**

» Reinstate Pluto band members have deep roots in public health and strong ties to CDC. Come have a listen for a special edition (un) happy hour on August 22 at Tucker Brewing. 2003 S Bibb Dr, Tucker, GA 30084.

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

CAREER CORNER

» Career Corner is off this week, but check out last week’s Career Corner with an updated hot jobs section. Don’t forget to join the Opportunities for Former HHS Staff LinkedIn Group and follow NPHC on LinkedIn to stay current on career-related events.

UNION CORNER

» Call to Action: Comments Needed: OPM has introduced new proposed changes to the Code of Federal Regulations to make it easier to remove employees. We encourage all members to read the proposed rule, “Promoting Employee Accountability,” and submit a public comment outlining your concerns about these changes. Comment period closes August 3, 2026.

» Shutdown prep: We encourage all federal employees to start making plans now in case there is another federal shutdown after the current spending bill expires on October 1.

Start an emergency fund now.
Many federal credit unions, including CDC FCU, have offered zero-interest paycheck loans during previous shutdowns. Some institutions require that direct deposit be set up one or more pay periods in advance of receiving a shutdown loan, so check now to ensure you’re eligible.
If you have available means, consider a donation to CDC Mutual Aid so that they are prepared to assist federal workers and contract staff in the event of a shutdown.
If you will be expected to continue working during a shutdown, you may need to plan for additional expenses like child care or pet care.

» Join AFGE L2883: 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

» A Moment of Gratitude: This week, your friends at the CDC Mutual Aid Network want to take a moment to express our appreciation to our CDC community. You helped us make this past week's ice cream social fundraiser a success, and helped us to celebrate 80 years of CDC. You've helped us to raise more than $280,000 for CDC workers who have lost their livelihoods, supporting 226 CDCers and their families. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to support your colleagues, reach out to folks who are having a hard time, and through it all continue to uphold the highest principles of public service and dedication to public health and happiness. Continue to take care of yourselves and each other. CDC Saves Lives.

» Follow CDC Mutual Aid Network on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cdc-mutual-aid-network
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cdcmutualaid.bsky.social

THE WEEKLY NEEDLE

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

» Local CDC Employees Celebrate Today as a Good Day After Only Having Three Panic Attacks, One Bout of Clinical Depression. Medical staff and researchers monitoring said CDC employee declared his morale to be “a medical miracle” compared with the rest of CDC staff and said it represents “the top 0.1 percent of psychological well-being” at the agency.

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

SPOON OF THE WEEK

» There are multiple outbreaks going on, and our Outbreak Response Spoons are doing a lot of thankless work with very limited resources and support. We see you. Keep doing the good work 💪

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

SELF CARE

» Are you a history buff? Check out the online game Anthropeum. Each day, view ten objects. Guess where and when each was made. Then see how you ranked against everyone else who played.

» Hey book lovers: Save the date for the Decatur Book Festival, happening from October 2 - 3.

» 4 years of therapy in one minute | The Pocket Psychologist (YouTube)

» 🦝 Jimothy the raccoon's mom, Jimberly, refused to leave him behind | The Good News Girl (YouTube)

» 🕹️👾 Don’t forget about the Southern Fried Gaming Expo, which is run by 3 NCEH Spoons, taking place from July 31 through August 2 at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center and the Cobb Convention Center Atlanta.