Capito urges RFK Jr. to reverse NIOSH job cuts in West Virginia

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito has called on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reverse recent layoffs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in Morgantown, West Virginia, where nearly 200 jobs are at risk as part of a larger federal workforce reduction. Capito argues that the specialized work done by NIOSH, particularly its coal health programs and research on issues like black lung, mine safety, and workplace injuries, is unique and not duplicated elsewhere in government. She warns the layoffs could undermine critical health and safety programs for coal miners and other workers in West Virginia. Capito’s letter follows executive orders by President Trump aimed at reviving the coal industry, and she emphasizes that restoring NIOSH staff is vital for both industry support and worker health. The NIOSH Morgantown facility has been instrumental in developing safety standards and providing health surveillance for coal workers, including mobile health clinics and black lung screenings. Capito stresses the broader community impact, noting concerns for both affected employees and the essential services they provide.