Trump Administration Takes One Last Jab At Government Scientists

Politico: 11th-Hour Deal Strips FDA Oversight Of Genetically Modified Animals 
The Health and Human Services Department has agreed to an industry-backed plan to effectively strip the FDA of oversight of certain genetically modified animals — the latest instance of Trump political appointees overriding the agency's scientists. The deal announced Tuesday would shift regulatory authority to the USDA for reviewing the safety of animals produced for food using gene editing. The FDA would maintain oversight of a certain slice of gene edited products not related to agriculture, such as biopharma and gene therapies. The agency would also act in a “consultation” role as USDA develops and carries out its own regulations, per the agreement. (Cancryn and Crampton, 1/19)

Modern Healthcare: Surgeon General Calls On Businesses To Invest In Community Health
The U.S. Surgeon General on Tuesday released its first ever report that attempts to make the business case for why companies should invest in improving community health. In a call with reporters, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams said the report is intended to provide guidance for business leaders on how they can work with and invest in communities to address their health challenges. But he felt it could also help raise more awareness about the economic benefits for businesses that make health a factor in their policies and decisions. (Ross Johnson, 1/19)

Politico: Trump Team Tries To Milk The Politics Of Food Boxes To Its Final Days 
Just before her father was impeached for the second time Wednesday, Ivanka Trump was on a Zoom call with Christian leaders to promote government food aid. It was her first known public event since a violent mob overtook the U.S. Capitol a week earlier, but the first daughter and top adviser to President Donald Trump steered clear of the insurrection and impeachment. Instead, she talked about the power of distributing boxes with fresh food to people in need during the coronavirus pandemic — and got showered with praise from religious leaders. (Bottemiller Evich and Rodriguez, 1/19)

And the FDA chief discusses the pressure he felt about vaccines and the Capitol riot —

Politico: Outgoing FDA Chief: The Agency Fought 'Substantial' Pressure Under Trump 
The coronavirus pandemic revealed a “clash of cultures” between the White House pressing for faster progress on vaccines and treatments and the Food and Drug Administration’s efforts to stick to the science, outgoing Commissioner Stephen Hahn told POLITICO. “I heard loud and clear from the White House — President Trump and others — that they wanted FDA to move faster,” Hahn said in an interview Tuesday, less than 24 hours before President-elect Joe Biden is scheduled to take office. (Owermohle, 1/19)

The Hill: FDA Chief Says He Was 'Disgusted' By Capitol Riots, Considered Resigning 
The head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said he was "disgusted" and considered resigning after rioters overtook the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying President-elect Joe Biden's election victory. In an interview with Bloomberg News published Tuesday, Stephen Hahn said he was "horrified" by the mob attack, and that "making a statement with a resignation" was among the responses he considered in the following days. Several top Trump administration officials, such as Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, resigned in protest after the deadly riot. ... "We have a lot of things going on that are important from a public health point of view that required my attention and the senior leadership's attention. Making a statement with a resignation certainly was a topic of consideration," he added. "I think our public health mission and the need to provide leadership during a very critical time was more important." (Bowden, 1/19)