Beltway Confidential

Did you hear the CDC ‘banned’ seven words? Here’s the full story.

By Emily Jashinsky

Published December 19, 2017 6:54pm ET

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Did you hear the CDC ‘banned’ seven words? Here’s the full story. — Writing in National Review on Sunday, Yuval Levin said the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's list of words was less of an ideological ban and more of a strategy to persuade Republicans in Congress primarily within the narrow scope of budget documents. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) | David Goldman

Without so much as a nod to George Carlin, officials at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reportedly issued an Orwellian ban on seven words last week. In breaking the news, a Washington Post headline blared, “CDC gets list of forbidden words: Fetus, transgender, diversity.”

The paper’s own lede modified that sensationalist charge just a bit, noting the allegedly forbidden words were only forbidden in budget documents.

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Budgets and Deficits Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Commentary Congress Department of Health and Human Services Donald Trump Emily Jashinsky Science