Reverse harmful federal downsizing to protect public services

The Trump administration's widespread firings of federal workers are deeply concerning and will likely have severe consequences for public health, safety, and the effective functioning of government agencies. Congress appropriated funding for these positions to serve vital purposes like ensuring food safety, preventing disease outbreaks, maintaining national parks and forests, and keeping air travel secure. Dismissing large numbers of qualified federal employees will hamstring the government's ability to fulfill its mandated responsibilities effectively and efficiently. Understaffing at the FDA, CDC, and other health agencies increases the risks of foodborne illnesses, struggles to control infectious disease outbreaks, and lapses in vaccination programs. Lack of proper staffing at the National Park Service and Forest Service could lead to environmental degradation and mismanagement of precious natural resources. An overworked and understaffed FAA raises serious safety concerns about properly monitoring increasingly crowded airspace. Far from saving taxpayer dollars, these shortsighted personnel cuts will likely prove more costly in the long run due to the negative impacts on public health, environmental protection, and critical government services and oversight roles. I urge you to take action to reverse this harmful downsizing and ensure federal agencies have the staffing resources required to properly safeguard the American people and responsibly steward our nation's assets.