New CDC chief faces congressional pressure to revive defunded health programs

Dr. Erica Schwartz was confirmed as the CDC’s director last week and inherited a slate of federally funded initiatives that exist on paper but lack staff, often called “zombie” programs. These include the Office on Smoking and Health, a $41 million Alzheimer’s surveillance effort, an $18 million tribal overdose prevention project, and several data-collection units for epilepsy, sickle-cell disease, maternal health, and drowning prevention.

The programs were effectively frozen after the Trump administration’s 2025 layoff wave, which dismissed thousands of CDC scientists and administrators, many of whom are now on paid administrative leave pending litigation. During her confirmation hearing, Senator Tim Kaine pressed Schwartz to reactivate the smoking office, noting that law requires use of appropriated money. Other Democrats, such as Senators Tammy Baldwin and Jon Ossoff, warned that failing to staff these programs may violate the Impoundment Control Act.

Although some previously cut functions have been partially restored, the overall capacity to conduct research, evaluate grants, and set national health priorities remains severely diminished. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged to hire thousands of workers, but officials say hiring at the CDC has been minimal so far. Schwartz has said she will support and empower employees, but concrete staffing plans have not been disclosed.