The United States is losing ground in its fight against the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic within its own borders. Sequestration and shifting priorities of Congress and the Obama administration have led to a waning of political support and resources for domestic and global TB programs. More than 10,000 people are diagnosed with active TB disease every year in the United States, and an estimated nine to 14 million American residents are currently living with latent TB infection. Perceived low prevalence, coupled with a lack of political vigilance and declining federal and state resources for TB control and elimination, has set the stage for a dangerous and costly resurgence of domestic TB.

Sequestration-related cuts are threatening to damage the CDC’s Tuberculosis Trials Consortium, the leading TB clinical research collaborative in the world.