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# House Reps Seek OMB Clarification on FDA Hiring Exemption
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/house-reps-seek-omb-clarification-on-fda-hiring-exemption/
- Published: 2017-02-07T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T22:05:04.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: FDA Policy/General, #legacy-id-D5137927

Reps. **Fred Upton** (R-MI) and **Diana DeGette** (D-CO) have written the White House Office of Management and Budget asking for additional guidance clarifying whether FDA is exempt from a hiring freeze ordered [last month](https://www.fdaweb.com/omb-guidance-on-hiring-freeze-gives-fda-wiggle-room/). The lawmakers, who played instrumental roles in drafting the *21st Century Cures* law, are worried that hundreds of job openings at the agency could impact product approvals. “FDA’s ability to carry out numerous new responsibilities under *Cures —* such as antibiotic approvals, validation of drug development tools, patient-focused drug development, and issuance of new guidance — will depend on the agency’s ability to staff up,” they write. Upton and DeGette also believe that user fee funds from industry to hire new FDA employees should be exempt from the hiring freeze.