CDC is pulling back $11B in Covid funding sent to health departments across the U.S.
NBCMAR 26
Trump Administration Cuts Billions in COVID-Era Funding
Above: A researcher in a lab in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of Illinois Chicago on March 5, 2025. Image copyright: Scott Olson/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
COVID is over, and taxpayer dollars should not be wasted on a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago. The focus should shift to addressing chronic diseases and making America healthy again through greater efficiency and accountability in healthcare spending.
Democratic narrative
Terminating COVID-related research and response programs is dangerous for future pandemic preparedness and public health. The virus continues to infect and kill people, and studying its effects, transmission, and potential treatments remains crucial for preventing future outbreaks and understanding long-term health impacts.