CDC restores 9/11-related cancer research funding after DOGE’s cancellation, officials say

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has restored a $257,000 contract for 9/11-related cancer research after the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, tried to cancel it, officials say.

The contract pays for data processing to compare cancer incidence rates among firefighters exposed to the World Trade Center toxins with firefighters who were not exposed in other cities. 

Earlier Thursday, the FDNY confirmed researchers working on the career firefighter health study received notice of the CDC contract termination last week.

Thursday evening, New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis posted on social media, saying, “We just received confirmation from the White House that there will be no cuts to staffing at the World Trade Center Healthcare Program and research grants related to 9/11 illnesses.”

Sen. Chuck Schumer confirmed in a statement that the CDC has restored the grant, saying:

“This is a clear example of the damaging Trump-DOGE shoot first, ask questions later approach for their rash cuts and layoffs. 9/11 cancer research and funding for FDNY should have never been on the chopping block and I am pleased the CDC has heeded my call to restore this grant for 9/11 first responders. Now they need to fully uphold their promise and reverse the firings of World Trade Center Health staff to ensure care for 9/11 survivors and first responders continues uninterrupted.”

“This staff is understaffed”

This comes after 20% of the World Trade Center Health Program’s staff was terminated last week. Advocates say it impacts first responders along with people who lived and worked in Lower Manhattan on 9/11, and makes it harder for them to get certified for a 9/11-related illness. 

“The World Trade Center Health Program is a lifeline to 137,000-plus people in the program. This staff is understaffed,” Feal said.

FDNY officials said they were told the contract was initially determined to be non-essential because the outputs from the contract are not statutorily required.

CBS News New York reached out the White House for comment and has not heard back.

“A tragedy for all Americans who swore they would never forget”

Before the grant was restored, news of the cut drew outrage across New York City.

“The World Trade Center Health Program has been a lifeline to sickened 9/11 responders, who selflessly gave so much. Cuts to its grant funding will limit our ability to prove that new conditions are WTC related, and should be added to the list of covered conditions. This will hinder our efforts to provide treatment coverage for new conditions, which is a tragedy for all Americans who swore they would never forget,” FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said. 

John Feal, who worked at Ground Zero days after the attack, advocates for 9/11 victims, survivors and their families. 

“The research is vital to the 9/11 community because it’s the research that allows us to add illnesses to the bill as we move forward. Last year we added uterine cancer for the 69th cancer under the bill,” said Feal. “More and more people are getting sick, and more and more people are coming up with new illnesses.” 

Michael Barasche has represented nearly 40,000 first responders and civilians with 9/11 illnesses. 

“In 2013, no cancers had been linked to the World Trade Center toxins. Today, 69 cancers. Why? We know this because of the research,” Barasche said. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul also fired back with a post on social media. 

“‘Never forget’ isn’t a slogan, it’s a promise to our firefighters, police officers, and all the first responders who ran into danger on 9/11. We’ll fight like hell to stop Elon Musk and his cronies from breaking that promise,” the governor wrote. 

Jennifer Bisram

Jennifer Bisram is an award-winning journalist. She joined CBS News New York as a reporter in November 2022.

Prior to CBS News New York, Jennifer was a reporter at PIX11 News in NYC – where she worked for nearly six years covering education, crime, Rikers Island, parades, community stories and breaking news.