Feb 20, 2025

What slashing federal agency budgets could mean for food safety

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Layoffs at the FDA could impact the agency's ability to adequately oversee the safety of the U.S. food supply.

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Trump's Second Term

Federal layoffs spark concerns over nation's food safety

by Kimberly Adams

Feb 20, 2025

Thousands of specialists still work at food safety agencies, but critics say the cuts reduce the government's ability to implement standards.

Staff reductions at agencies like the FDA will "result in slower recalls, weaker enforcement and — quite honestly — a rollback of public health protections," said Northeastern University's Darin Detwiler.

Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images

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$55 billion in savings or $8.5 billion?

by Nova Safo

President Donald Trump says there’s talk among his advisors of directing some of the money being taken away from federal agencies by DOGE directly to taxpayers. How much might that be?

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Homebuilders are feeling pessimistic about future sales

by Justin Ho

Feb 20, 2025

A survey from the National Association of Home Builders found contractors' expectations fell to their lowest level in more than a year.

Rising material costs resulting from tariffs and a shortage of construction workers will likely add to homebuilding costs.

Eamon Queeney for The Washington Post via Getty Images

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The team

David Brancaccio Host

Leanna Byrne Host, BBC

Kelly Silvera Executive Producer

Meredith Garretson Morbey Senior Producer

Alex Schroeder Producer

Erika Soderstrom Producer

Ariana Rosas Producer

Nic Perez Director/Producer

Dylan Miettinen Digital Producer

John Bruington Media Producer

Jesson Duller Media Producer

Brian Allison Technical Director

James Graham Producer, BBC

Jo Critcher Producer, BBC

Naomi Rainey Producer, BBC

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