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6d ago

Judge Halts HHS Workforce Cuts and Restructuring Plan

The ruling bars HHS from finalizing mass firings or issuing new layoff notices, with a compliance report due by July 11 as litigation continues

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., testifies during a House Energy and Commerce Committee, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
A person walks outside of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services building after it was reported that the HHS will cut about 10,000 full-time jobs and close half of its regional offices, a major overhaul of the department under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 27, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis
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Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose granted a preliminary injunction on July 1 blocking HHS’s March plan to fire 10,000 employees, collapse 28 divisions into 15 and close half of its regional offices
  • The court found that the executive branch overstepped its authority by attempting wholesale changes to agencies created by Congress, citing the separation of powers
  • A coalition of 19 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia sued in early May, arguing the cuts disrupted CDC, FDA and Head Start operations and led to lab closures and suspended research
  • The order prohibits HHS from finalizing any planned layoffs or issuing further termination notices and directs the agency to submit a status report by July 11
  • HHS has acknowledged errors in the layoff process and indicated it may reinstate about 20 percent of those terminated as it reviews next steps and prepares to appeal