Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee are accusing the CDC of allowing politics to trump the science. In a Wednesday letter to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Rep. James Comer (R-KY) and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) claim political interference from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) “resulted in months-long delays in the reopening of schools to the detriment of American children.”
In emails obtained by Americans for Public Trust, Walensky appears to have had a very close relationship with Kelly Trautner, senior director of health issues for AFT. In the emails, Trautner thanks Walensky for her “genuine desire to earn our confidence” and her “commitment to partnership.” The director has earned this confidence by accepting “feedback” provided by Trautner to “strengthen the document” on schools reopening from February 12th.
So, the ranking members are demanding that all communication between any and all CDC employees and teacher union representatives be handed over. This is an effort to ensure that past CDC guidance hasn’t “depart[ed] from established science” by allowing other interest groups to interfere. The deadline for submitting all documents to the committee is May 26th.
You can follow Jenny Goldsberry on Twitter @jennyjournalism
House Judiciary GOP members blast CDC for reportedly taking cues from teachers unions
